Microsoft Knowledge Base

• The Microsoft Network, version 2.5
• Microsoft Outlook Express version 4.0 for Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start Microsoft Outlook Express, you may receive the following error message:

   Address book failed to load, Outlook Express is incorrectly configured.

   This note cannot be displayed due to an initiation error.

CAUSE

The Windows address book file may be damaged or missing.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove and re-create the Windows address book file. To do so, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.

2. In the Named box, type "*.wab" (without the quotation marks), and then click Find Now.

3. In the list of found files, right-click the following file

         <MSN Member ID>.wab
   

   and then click Delete.

4. Close the "Find: Files named *.wab" dialog box.

5. Double-click the Outlook Express icon on the desktop. The MSN, The Microsoft Network, Sign-In screen appears and a new Windows address book file is created.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about address books in Outlook Express, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q175017
   TITLE     : How to Import and Export Address Books in Outlook Express