Windows Live mail could not be started because msmail.dll could not be loaded.

OT: Live Mail would not start.

Related to: Messaging Error Codes

Hi, I hope someone can help me?  I have been using Windows Live Mail as my e-mail program for the last 5 years, without any problems. Over the last few months the program tended to close down unexpectedly, without any warning, but this only happened maybe once in every 20-30 days. Otherwise it worked fine.

Yesterday, when I tried to open the program, I got the error message: Windows Live mail could not be started because msmail.dll could not be loaded.

I have re-started my computer twice, without success.  I use Windows XP, and I think the Live Mail is 2011 (can't open it to check!)

I have searched extensively on the internet, but cannot solve the problem.  I have tried to repair it by going to Control Panel/Add or Remove programs, but when I click on Windows Live Essentials, Change/Remove,  nothing happens! It does not go anywhere to give me any options.

Obviously I cannot open the program to export my e-mails and contacts.

Please help?  How can I fix this problem? (I can still get to my e-mails via the internet and my gmail account)

Thank you.