Error message when you try to start Outlook 2003: "MAPI32.DLL is corrupt or the wrong version"

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Error "MAPI32.DLL is corrupt or the wrong version" while start up :
Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. MAPI32.DLL is corrupt or the wrong version. This could have been caused by installing other messaging software. Please reinstall Outlook.

CAUSE
This issue may occur if you install and then uninstall Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Beta 2 on a computer that has Outlook 2003 installed. When you uninstall Outlook 2007 Beta 2 version, the Outlook 2007 Beta 2 version of the MSMapi32.dll file is not removed from the following folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Msmapi\LocaleID


Note Different Locale ID for different languages appears in LocaleID. For example, 1033 is for English - the United States. For more information about these techniques, visit the following MSDN Web site:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/0h88fahh.aspx

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
1. Start Windows Explorer.
2. Locate and then open the following folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Msmapi\1033
3. Right-click the MSMapi32.dll file, and then click Rename.

Note The file (Msmapi32.dll) that you are renaming differs from the file (Mapi32.dll) that is mentioned in the error message.
4. Type Msmapi32.old, and then press ENTER to rename the file.
5. Start Outlook 2003.


Note When you start Outlook 2003, the program will repair itself.

APPLIES TO
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2003