How to Download and Use MFCMAPI to Troubleshoot Outlook Issues
If you are an experienced user or a developer who works with Outlook and Exchange, you may encounter some issues that are not easy to resolve with the Outlook user interface. For example, you may have corrupt inbox rules, hidden folders, or missing properties that affect the functionality or performance of your mailbox. In such cases, you may need a low-level mailbox editing tool that can access the MAPI stores and let you examine or modify the raw data. One such tool is MFCMAPI.
What is MFCMAPI and Why You Need It
MFCMAPI is a low-level mailbox editing tool that provides access to MAPI stores
MFCMAPI stands for Microsoft Foundation Classes Messaging API. It is an email client application that uses Microsoft's published APIs to provide access to MAPI stores through a graphical user interface. It was developed by Stephen Griffin from Microsoft as an open source project on GitHub. It is mainly intended for investigation of Exchange and Outlook issues and for support of MAPI development.
download mfcmapi
MFCMAPI can help you investigate and resolve Exchange and Outlook issues, such as corrupt rules, hidden folders, or missing properties
With MFCMAPI, you can view the properties, values, and contents of any folder or item in your mailbox. You can also perform actions such as deleting, copying, or editing items. For example, you can use MFCMAPI to:
Delete junk email rules that are not visible in Outlook
Recover deleted items that are not in the Recoverable Items folder
Change the display name or SMTP address of your mailbox
View or modify hidden system folders such as NonIpmRoot
Check or change the retention policy or tags applied to your mailbox
Export or import data from PST files or MSG files
MFCMAPI can also help you understand how Outlook and Exchange work behind the scenes. You can see the MAPI properties and values that are used by Outlook to store and display your data. You can also see the MAPI events and notifications that are triggered by your actions or by the server. This can help you debug or test your own MAPI applications or scripts.
How to download MFCMAPI from GitHub
MFCMAPI latest release download link
Download MFCMAPI source code and executables
MFCMAPI download for Outlook 2016
MFCMAPI download for Outlook for Office 365
Download MFCMAPI to create Outlook profile
MFCMAPI download for Exchange 2013
Download MFCMAPI to access MAPI stores
MFCMAPI download for troubleshooting Outlook issues
Download MFCMAPI to investigate Exchange problems
MFCMAPI download for MAPI development support
Download MFCMAPI to edit Outlook properties
MFCMAPI download for Outlook 2010 and above
Download MFCMAPI to export MSG files
MFCMAPI download for Outlook 2019
Download MFCMAPI to configure Exchange profile section
MFCMAPI download for Outlook 2013
Download MFCMAPI to view named properties
MFCMAPI download for Outlook 2007
Download MFCMAPI to delete hidden folders
MFCMAPI download for Outlook 2022
Download MFCMAPI to recover deleted items
MFCMAPI download for Outlook on the web
Download MFCMAPI to fix corrupted PST files
MFCMAPI download for Outlook 2003
Download MFCMAPI to change default store
MFCMAPI download for Outlook.com
Download MFCMAPI to reset reminders
MFCMAPI download for Exchange Online
Download MFCMAPI to disable add-ins
MFCMAPI download for Exchange 2016
Download MFCMAPI to enable online mode
MFCMAPI download for Exchange 2019
Download MFCMAPI to disable cached mode
MFCMAPI download for Exchange 2010
Download MFCMAPI to enable logging
MFCMAPI download for Exchange 2007
Download MFCMAPI to disable logging
MFCMAPI download for Exchange 2022
Download MFCMAPI to enable archive mailbox
How to Download MFCMAPI from GitHub
Go to the MFCMAPI page and click the Source Code tab
To download MFCMAPI, you need to go to its GitHub page at . There, you will see the Source Code tab, which contains the latest version of the source code and the executable files. You can also browse the previous releases and the documentation.
Click Download for the most recent build and agree to the license terms
On the Source Code tab, you will see a list of files that are available for download. The most recent build is usually at the top of the list, with a date and a version number. Click Download for the file that matches your system architecture (x86 or x64). You will be prompted to agree to the license terms before you can download the file. The license terms are based on the Microsoft Public License (Ms-PL), which allows you to use, modify, and distribute the software freely.
Save and extract the zip file to a folder of your choice
The file that you download is a zip file that contains the executable files and some other files. You need to save and extract the zip file to a folder of your choice. You can use any tool that can handle zip files, such as Windows Explorer or WinZip. Make sure that you preserve the folder structure when you extract the files.
Run Visual Studio as an administrator and open the MFCMapi.vcproj file
To build MFCMAPI, you need to have Visual Studio installed on your computer. You can use any version of Visual Studio from 2010 to 2019, as long as it supports C++ development. You also need to run Visual Studio as an administrator, otherwise you may encounter errors or warnings during the build process. To open MFCMAPI, you need to locate and double-click the MFCMapi.vcproj file in the folder where you extracted the zip file.
Build the solution and save the file
Once you open MFCMAPI in Visual Studio, you will see the solution explorer window, which shows all the projects and files that are part of MFCMAPI. To build MFCMAPI, you need to select Build > Build Solution from the menu bar. This will compile and link all the source code files and generate an executable file named MFCMapi.exe in the Debug or Release folder, depending on your configuration. You can then save and close Visual Studio.
How to Use MFCMAPI to Troubleshoot Outlook Issues
Create a new mail profile in Outlook in online mode
Before you use MFCMAPI, it is recommended that you create a new mail profile in Outlook in online mode. This will ensure that you have a clean and consistent connection to your mailbox without any cached data or interference from other profiles. To create a new mail profile in Outlook, follow these steps:
Close Outlook if it is running.
Open Control Panel and click Mail.
Click Show Profiles and then click Add.
Type a name for your new profile and click OK.
Follow the prompts to configure your email account settings.
Select Always use this profile and choose your new profile from the drop-down list.
Click OK to close the Mail dialog box.
Open Outlook and make sure that it is in online mode (not cached mode).
Open MFCMAPI and log on to the profile
To open MFCMAPI, you need to locate and double-click the MFCMapi.exe file in the folder where you built MFCMAPI. You will see the main window of MFCMAPI, which has a menu bar and a toolbar. To log on to your profile, you need to select Session > Logon from the menu bar. You will see a dialog box that shows all the profiles that are available on your computer. Choose your new profile and click OK. You will then see a list of all the MAPI stores that are associated with your profile.
Double-click the default Exchange mailbox store and expand the Root Container and Top of Information Store nodes
To access your mailbox, you need to double-click the default Exchange mailbox store in the list of MAPI stores. This is usually the first item in the list, with a name that matches your email address. You will then see a new window that shows the hierarchy of folders in your mailbox. To view the folders, you need to expand the Root Container and Top of Information Store nodes by clicking the plus signs next to them. You will then see all the folders that are visible in Outlook, such as Inbox, Sent Items, Calendar, etc.
Select the folder that you want to troubleshoot and open its associated contents table
To troubleshoot a specific folder, you need to select it from the hierarchy and open its associated contents table. The contents table shows all the items that are in the folder, such as messages, contacts, appointments, etc. To open the contents table, you need to right-click the folder and select Open Associated Contents Table from the context menu. You will then see a new window that shows the properties and values of each item in the folder.
Locate the message class, properties, and values that you want to examine or modify
To examine or modify an item in the folder, you need to locate its message class, properties, and values. The message class is a property that identifies the type of item, such as IPM.Note for messages, IPM.Contact for contacts, IPM.Appointment for appointments, etc. The properties are attributes that store information about the item, such as subject, sender, recipient, body, attachments, etc. The values are the actual data that are stored in the properties, such as text, numbers, dates, etc.
To locate the message class, properties, and values of an item, you need to select it from the contents table and scroll through the list of columns. You can also use the Find dialog box to search for a specific property or value by name or by tag. You can also sort or filter the contents table by any column by clicking on its header.
Use the menus and dialogs to perform actions such as deleting, copying, or editing items
To perform actions on an item in the folder, you need to use the menus and dialogs that are available in MFCMAPI. For example, you can use the Actions menu to delete an item permanently or move it to another folder. You can also use the Edit menu to copy or paste an item or its properties. You can also use the Property Editor dialog box to edit or add a property or value to an item.
To use these menus and dialogs, you need to right-click on an item or a property and select the appropriate option from the context menu. You will then see a dialog box that allows you to perform the action. For example, if you want to delete an item, you will see a dialog box that asks you to confirm the deletion and choose the deletion style. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to perform some actions, such as Ctrl+C for copy, Ctrl+V for paste, or Del for delete.
Benefits of Using MFCMAPI to Troubleshoot Outlook Issues
MFCMAPI can help you fix issues that are not visible or accessible in Outlook
One of the main benefits of using MFCMAPI is that it can help you fix issues that are not visible or accessible in Outlook. For example, you may have some inbox rules that are corrupt or conflicting and cause your messages to be moved or deleted unexpectedly. These rules may not be visible in the Outlook rules wizard, but you can use MFCMAPI to find and delete them. Similarly, you may have some hidden folders or items that are taking up space in your mailbox or causing errors. These folders or items may not be visible in Outlook, but you can use MFCMAPI to view and delete them.
MFCMAPI can help you understand how Outlook and Exchange work behind the scenes
Another benefit of using MFCMAPI is that it can help you understand how Outlook and Exchange work behind the scenes. You can see the MAPI properties and values that are used by Outlook to store and display your data. You can also see the MAPI events and notifications that are triggered by your actions or by the server. This can help you debug or test your own MAPI applications or scripts. You can also learn more about the MAPI protocol and the Exchange architecture by using MFCMAPI.
MFCMAPI can help you test and debug your own MAPI applications or scripts
A third benefit of using MFCMAPI is that it can help you test and debug your own MAPI applications or scripts. If you are a developer who works with Outlook and Exchange, you may need to create or modify MAPI applications or scripts that interact with your mailbox. For example, you may need to create a custom form, a custom rule, a custom folder, or a custom property for your mailbox. You can use MFCMAPI to test and debug your code by viewing and modifying the MAPI data in your mailbox. You can also use MFCMAPI to compare the results of your code with the expected results.
Common Issues and Limitations of Using MFCMAPI to Troubleshoot Outlook Issues
MFCMAPI is an expert tool that requires caution and backup when using it
One of the common issues of using MFCMAPI is that it is an expert tool that requires caution and backup when using it. Because MFCMAPI allows you to access and modify the raw data in your mailbox, you may cause irreversible damage if you make a mistake or use it incorrectly. For example, you may delete an important item, corrupt a folder, or break a rule that affects your mailbox functionality or performance. Therefore, you should always backup your mailbox before using MFCMAPI and follow the instructions carefully when performing any action.
MFCMAPI does not support SSL offloading or network load balancing for MRSProxy servers
Another common issue of using MFCMAPI is that it does not support SSL offloading or network load balancing for MRSProxy servers. If you are using Exchange Online or Exchange 2016 or later, you may need to use the Mailbox Replication Service (MRS) Proxy to access your mailbox remotely. The MRS Proxy is a web service that runs on Exchange servers and allows remote connections to mailboxes using HTTPS. However, if your Exchange environment uses SSL offloading or network load balancing for the MRS Proxy servers, you may not be able to connect to your mailbox using MFCMAPI. This is because MFCMAPI does not support these features and expects a direct connection to the server.
MFCMAPI does not work with mailboxes that are smaller than 10 MB or have retention hold enabled
A third common issue of using MFCMAPI is that it does not work with mailboxes that are smaller than 10 MB or have retention hold enabled. If your mailbox is smaller than 10 MB, you may not be able to open it with MFCMAPI because it does not have enough data to create a valid profile. If your mailbox has retention hold enabled, you may not be able to modify it with MFCMAPI because it prevents any changes to the mailbox data. In these cases, you may need to use another tool or method to troubleshoot your mailbox issues.</p Conclusion
MFCMAPI is a powerful and useful tool that can help you troubleshoot Outlook and Exchange issues that are not visible or accessible in Outlook. It can also help you understand how Outlook and Exchange work behind the scenes and test and debug your own MAPI applications or scripts. However, MFCMAPI is also an expert tool that requires caution and backup when using it, as it can cause irreversible damage to your mailbox if used incorrectly. Moreover, MFCMAPI has some limitations and does not support some features or scenarios that may affect your mailbox connection or modification. Therefore, you should always use MFCMAPI with care and follow the instructions carefully when performing any action.
FAQs
Q: Where can I download MFCMAPI?
A: You can download MFCMAPI from its GitHub page at . You can also browse the previous releases and the documentation there.
Q: How can I backup my mailbox before using MFCMAPI?
A: You can backup your mailbox by exporting it to a PST file or by using a third-party backup tool. To export your mailbox to a PST file, you can use the Outlook export wizard or the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet in Exchange PowerShell. To use a third-party backup tool, you can search for one that suits your needs and budget online.
Q: How can I restore my mailbox if I damage it with MFCMAPI?
A: You can restore your mailbox by importing it from a PST file or by using a third-party restore tool. To import your mailbox from a PST file, you can use the Outlook import wizard or the New-MailboxImportRequest cmdlet in Exchange PowerShell. To use a third-party restore tool, you can search for one that suits your needs and budget online.
Q: What are some alternatives to MFCMAPI?
A: Some alternatives to MFCMAPI are OutlookSpy, EWSEditor, and EWS Managed API. OutlookSpy is a similar tool that provides access to MAPI stores and properties through a graphical user interface. EWSEditor is a tool that uses the Exchange Web Services (EWS) protocol to access and modify Exchange mailboxes. EWS Managed API is a library that allows you to create applications that use EWS to access and modify Exchange mailboxes.
Q: How can I learn more about MFCMAPI?
A: You can learn more about MFCMAPI by reading the documentation on its GitHub page or by watching the videos on its YouTube channel. You can also follow the blog of Stephen Griffin, the developer of MFCMAPI, at . You can also ask questions or report issues on the GitHub issues page or on the Microsoft forums. 44f88ac181