Ask Dave Taylor
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • YouTube Videos
  • Top Categories
  • Subscribe via Email
  • Ask A Question
  • Meet Dave
  • Home
  • Windows PC Help
  • Can’t change fonts in Microsoft Outlook Express 6?

Can’t change fonts in Microsoft Outlook Express 6?

April 20, 2005 / Dave Taylor / Windows PC Help / 31 Comments

Dave, I installed Internet Explorer SP2 and every thing works fine, except that now, if I try to change the font in Outlook Express 6 email I get an error message that “An error has oocurred in this dialog. Error: 501. Permission denied”. Is it possible to replace the existing Outlook Express 6 without having to completely remove and re-install internet Explorer.

Outlook Express is bundled with Internet Explorer, as you know, so as far as I can tell, it’s not really possible to separate the two. But then again, Microsoft said that it couldn’t remove Internet Explorer from Windows and somehow managed to create a version of Windows for the European Union with just that characteristic.
Your best bet, however, is to delve into your registry to let you reinstall Outlook Express, frightening though that prospect may be!
What you want to do is edit a specific registry key to allow you to reinstall only Outlook Express. The process is outlined in the Microsoft article How to reinstall or repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP.
What I most like is this comment in the article:
“Warning: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.”
Nonetheless, it seems straightforward. Basically you’ll use regedit to modify HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\
Installed Components\{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}
so that it lets you reinstall OE without having to reinstall IE6.
As with all hacks to system configuration files, make sure that you save a clean unedited copy of your registry before you make this change with regedit. If things go terribly wrong, you can then restore the older registry settings and, hopefully, be back to a workable environment.
Good luck with this!

Thanks to Tommy Martin for his help with this question
About the Author: Dave Taylor has been involved with the online world since the early days of the Internet. Author of over 20 technical books, he runs the popular AskDaveTaylor.com tech help site. You can also find his gadget reviews on YouTube and chat with him on Twitter as @DaveTaylor.

Let’s Stay In Touch!

Never miss a single article, review or tutorial here on AskDaveTaylor, sign up for my fun weekly newsletter!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please enter all required fields
Correct invalid entries
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz
Please choose a color:
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

31 comments on “Can’t change fonts in Microsoft Outlook Express 6?”

  1. Alex says:
    March 3, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    Ah!!! Thank you, thank you! I used Grant’s and Bob Price’s suggestions, now works.
    Not sure what happened, I think it was after I installed Office 2010 but continued to use the smaller, faster OE6.

    Reply
  2. Julian says:
    February 9, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    Thank you Grant. Your solution also worked for me when the format font dropdown menu refused to display ‘Font’, ‘Style’ and ‘Size’.
    Thanks also to Linda whos solution automatically includes a font format bar when you start a new email.

    Reply
  3. DaveO says:
    February 3, 2010 at 12:10 am

    Well, 6 years later and people still getting error 501. Pleased to say that Bob Price’s solution to default the network frame settings still works.
    Thanks Bob if you are still around 🙂

    Reply
  4. Carol says:
    February 1, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    I followed your instructions and got rid of the error message, however, when I change font size it looks as thought it has taken until I type the first letter and it reverts back to the old font size. Thanks

    Reply
  5. rms says:
    November 3, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    in reference to the 501 error in outlook express – thanks to bob price’s suggestion -default the network frame settings …. i finally got it to work !
    thank you again bob price

    Reply
  6. Chuck Hoffman says:
    August 28, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    Used the solution presented by Bob Price and it worked perfectly. Thanks Bob….and Vishnu Osham.

    Reply
  7. bg says:
    April 7, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Otra solución para este problema con windows media center aquí:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331331/es

    Reply
  8. Dave Taylor says:
    December 19, 2008 at 10:25 am

    Sorry the solution didn’t work for you, Bob. I too am very skeptical of virus scanners that always seem to find a virus on your computer, even if you’re already running aggressive anti-virus software.

    Reply
  9. Bob Bee says:
    December 18, 2008 at 5:15 pm

    Dave, you recommended a FREE fix for Error:501.
    After the SO CALLED fixe they scanned my PC and found over 2,000 errors. Of course they wanted $30.00 to fix the issue, (even though the Error:501 was fixed for FREE. Well guess what, I rejected the $30.00, rebooted my PC an to no suprise the Error:501 is still there.
    This information that you are advertising is a SCAM.

    Reply
  10. Eric says:
    October 16, 2008 at 5:50 am

    Thanks so much Grant yours is a real solution.
    It worked for me perfectly well.
    Eric

    Reply
  11. kela says:
    June 20, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    thanks grant ur solution worked for me….

    Reply
  12. Joe Coty says:
    October 9, 2007 at 4:46 pm

    how can I scan a message from my lexmark printer
    without going via od outlook express
    Joe

    Reply
  13. Hawk says:
    August 18, 2007 at 2:53 pm

    Thanks Dave,
    I had the 501 error also and Grant’s trick solved the problem for me too. Many thanks.
    Hawk

    Reply
  14. Jo says:
    July 6, 2007 at 7:00 pm

    I tried everything above. Nothing worked.

    Reply
  15. albert says:
    May 28, 2007 at 5:50 am

    I tried several of the above suggestions. They were either already implemented or had no effect. What worked is: IE/Tools/Internet Options/Program tab. The program listed for E-mail was Microsoft Office Outlook. I changed it to Outlook Express, Apply (this took several seconds), OK. No more error 501. BUT when as a check I returned the program to Microsoft Office Outlook, Error 501 did not return. Strange, but problem solved (unless it re-appears as mysteriously as it appeared the first time.) This is with IE6/XP Home/SP2. Some months ago I installed IE7 and then uninstalled it, but I don’t know if that is when the error 501 started.

    Reply
  16. Zafar says:
    April 12, 2007 at 9:41 am

    The solution given by Grant on February 18, worked for me.
    Cheers Grant.

    Reply
  17. Linda Linn says:
    April 4, 2007 at 7:05 am

    I had the same problem and a friend figured out the SIMPLE solution. Just start an email, then go to VIEW, then TOOLARS, click on that and make sure that FORMATTING BAR is checked.

    Reply
  18. Newf says:
    March 27, 2007 at 6:39 pm

    ref the solution to correcting Error 501. I followed the instructions re tools/Internetoptions/Security and changing navigate to sub frames acrooss different domains. It worked. I really appreciate finding this information because I have spent over a week trying to find a solution. One thing though I do not quiet understand what you meant by “When finished, ensure that the security levels for all Internet zones remain set at their default levels.:. I took it to mean to return the Trusted Sige zones to the original selection (Disable). Please let me know if this is correct.

    Reply
  19. donald choice says:
    March 24, 2007 at 8:01 pm

    I didn’t reinstall Outlook Express, but I tried all the other suggestions above and none worked for me. So I phoned HP Tech ‘Paid for’ tech support and did get a fix. For me, it was: Click on START, Control Panel, Internet Options, select “Accessibility” in the lower right corner. Then remove all checks from the four boxes, exit out and reboot the computer.
    Donald Choice, San Diego CA 03/24/2007

    Reply
  20. Ken says:
    March 21, 2007 at 8:20 pm

    Thanks, Dave!! I used Grant’s suggestion for fixing the 501 font error in OE…I tried several fixes and nothing worked…but this did! Thanks to Grant! Ken in Hawaii

    Reply
  21. fred says:
    March 15, 2007 at 8:56 pm

    grants advice did the trick. thanks so much. its bugging me for a week. i think the problem occurred for me when i loaded ie7 and then because it sucks, unistalled back to ie6.
    you the man!!!

    Reply
  22. janice says:
    March 15, 2007 at 6:44 am

    thanks to Grant…his solution worked for me…FINALLY!!!

    Reply
  23. Grant says:
    March 4, 2007 at 7:34 pm

    My thanks, Brenda, for the thoughtful message. I’m glad that suggestion was of help to you.
    And a BIG thank you must go to Dave for this site where we can share possible solutions to our computer problems.

    Reply
  24. brenda says:
    March 3, 2007 at 4:42 pm

    Thanks to Grant for his solution for the “501′ error. I have been trying for hours to get this fixed, your suggestion worked. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  25. Raewyn says:
    March 1, 2007 at 12:40 pm

    BOB PRICE – thank you so much. Tried all the other suggestions here and yours the only one that worked for me.

    Reply
  26. Grant says:
    February 18, 2007 at 6:24 am

    Here’s another possible solution to the “Error 501” font setting problem in Outlook Express.
    From the Internet Explorer top menu click: Tools/Internet Options/Security Tab. Then, click the Custom Level button. From the list of settings under Miscellaneous, look for “Navigate sub frames across different domains.” This item should be ENABLED. Change this setting for both the Internet and Trusted Sites’ zones. When finished, ensure that the security levels for all Internet zones remain set at their default levels.
    A simple IE setting change, but it worked for me, and hopefully, it may be of help to others in resolving their “Error 501” problem when trying to change fonts in Outlook Express.

    Reply
  27. RBPrice says:
    December 8, 2006 at 11:12 am

    Dave – the solution to the Problem 501 is to be found in the Outlook netframework settings. Goto Control Panel/Internet Settings/Security/Netframework settings and change the values back to default.
    Some programs that are automatically downloaded mess with those setting having to do with Font and disable them. Resetting them to default fixes the problem. All this thanks to Vishnu Osham of MS help group in downtwon India somewhere.
    Bob Price

    Reply
  28. Michael Stapleton says:
    September 28, 2006 at 1:29 pm

    re: Error 501 font permission denied. I have tried unchecking “Use HTTP 1.1” and “Show friendly URL”, but still unable to get past the Error 501 window. I have tried right-clicking on “font”, but nothing happens. ???

    Reply
  29. Anon says:
    August 17, 2006 at 5:37 pm

    Well, how ’bout that! The fix shared by the contributor to Castlecops works just as described! I, also, then Re-set the box to checked, using both ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’, for “Use HTTP 1.1”, and tested the right-click changing of font. It still worked, and no more error message 501 boxes. Thank you for posting this whole thread.

    Reply
  30. Seymour Newman says:
    March 4, 2006 at 11:35 am

    For over a year, I have been reporting that I was receiving an error 501 font permission denied. At that time, there were only two work-arounds. One was to use the font toolbar and the second was to create a new Windows user.
    This morning I read a post with two suggested solutions. They were to change, under advanced options of IE, the following:-
    Uncheck Show Friendly URL and uncheck USE HTTP 1.1.
    Since I already had the Friendly URL unchecked, I proceeded to uncheck USE HTTP 1.1. I can now change fonts via right-click.
    I even restored USE HTTP 1.1 to checked and OE still allows me to change fonts via right-click.
    Go figure.
    Reference: http://castlecops.com/postlite148110-.html

    Reply
  31. Seymour Newman says:
    November 18, 2005 at 5:45 pm

    This is a known problem that I have been researching for over a year. Re-installing OE will not help. I am able to change the font using the font toolbar only – not through any right-clicking or choosiung fonr from any drop-down menu.
    The only solution that I found was to create another Windows user. A new identity does not help.
    On my computer, re-installing Windows did not help.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • How Can I Stop Sharing my Xfinity Internet Connection via xfinitywifi?
  • Guide to Identifying and Blocking Off-Facebook Data Tracking
  • How Can I Share My Netflix Account With My Friend? [Updated for 2023]
  • How to Check Energy Recommendations on your Windows Laptop
  • How Do I Customize New Tab Windows in Safari for Mac?

On Our YouTube Channel

Audeze FILTER Bluetooth Conference Speakerphone -- DEMO & REVIEW

How to: Replace a Switchbot Door Sensor Battery

Categories

  • AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help (106)
  • Amazon, eBay, and Online Shopping Help (163)
  • Android Help (226)
  • Apple iPad Help (147)
  • Apple Watch Help (53)
  • Articles, Tutorials, and Reviews (346)
  • Auto Tech Help (15)
  • Business Advice (200)
  • ChromeOS Help (31)
  • Computer & Internet Basics (780)
  • d) None of the Above (166)
  • Facebook Help (384)
  • Google, Chrome & Gmail Help (188)
  • HTML & Web Page Design (247)
  • Instagram Help (49)
  • iPhone & iOS Help (623)
  • iPod & MP3 Player Help (173)
  • Kindle & Nook Help (99)
  • LinkedIn Help (88)
  • Linux Help (173)
  • Linux Shell Script Programming (89)
  • Mac & MacOS Help (911)
  • Most Popular (16)
  • Outlook & Office 365 Help (33)
  • PayPal Help (68)
  • Pinterest Help (54)
  • Reddit Help (19)
  • SEO & Marketing (82)
  • Spam, Scams & Security (95)
  • Trade Show News & Updates (23)
  • Twitter Help (220)
  • Video Game Tips (66)
  • Web Site Traffic Tips (62)
  • Windows PC Help (947)
  • Wordpress Help (206)
  • Writing and Publishing (72)
  • YouTube Help (47)
  • YouTube Video Reviews (159)
  • Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help (62)

Archives

Social Connections:

Ask Dave Taylor


Follow Me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram


AskDaveTaylor on Facebook



microsoft insider mvp


This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to our terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. Our lawyer says "Thanks for your cooperation."
© 2023 by Dave Taylor. "Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Accessibility Policy