Finding Mail (32-bit) in the start menu

Question

I find myself often visiting the Mail control panel for people I'm helping who use Outlook.

However, it never, ever shows up in the start menu for anyones computer:

Is there some magic string I can type in to get that menu item? I've tried all the obvious ones:

• Mail
• Mail (32-bit)
• Mail 32 Bit

But to no avail. Normally I just go the long way, but with Windows 8 and Metro I'm concerned I'm going to get very frustrated trying to talk users through it over the phone.

Answer 1

There's a website that has some good information about this here: http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_controlpanel.htm

The methods mentioned work for Win7 as well as XP. Essentially, look in the Windows/system32 folder for any *.cpl files. These are the control panel items. Then you just call the one that you want.

For example, if you want to open the Screen Resolution:

  Windows + R     (opens Run dialog box)
  control desk.cpl

I'm guessing there is a mail.cpl on your computer (mine doesn't have it)

Answer 2

Don't bother this is not a problem of your system its due to the 64-bit version of Windows and you have the 32-bit version of Outlook. For appearing it in the start menu you have to install the 64-bit version on your system and then you will able to see the Mail option when you type it in search. Here is the first link where i got notice to read it that what is the issue with it and where is mail icon? is another thread which helped me to find this. Read both article carefully and then try to install the 64-bit version of MS Office and check that the problem is resolved or not?
I think add recycle bin to start menu article will help you to add mail in start menu.
Another way in my mind to customize the start menu. For this right click on the taskbar and select the properties and then select the Start Menu tab and select the option for control panel Display as menu by default it is Display as link. This is a tweak to find it fast I don't know will it be able to pin it in the search option or not? Hope this will help you, best of luck.

Answer 3

I don't think it is part of the default start menu program entries. I always circumvent oddities of the start menu by letting users directly execute the startup command line through the execute dialog (best way to get there is to use the Windows+R keystroke as the "Execute" menu item is disabled in some variants of the Start Menu). In the case of Mail (32-Bit) this would be control mlcfg32.cpl

mlcfg32.cpl is located in your Office installation path, so typically %PROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft Office\Office <Version> and this one is inserted into the system-wide %PATH% upon installation, so unless the %PATH% is being messed with, it should work out of the box. If not, you still can navigate to the office folder and run it from there. As the control panel has become a real mess lately - nearly impossible to navigate anyone through on the phone - even navigating through the folders presents a more coherent user experience.