I don’t typically use Windows Live Mail so even some of the more basic items are foreign to me including the fact that by default Windows Live Mail does not show the typical menu bar as you would expect in Windows XP. The menu bar includes top level menu items such as File, Edit, View, Go, Tools, Actions, and Help. By default Windows Live Mail looks like the below image.
Windows Live Mail Without Menu Bar:
Fixing the no menu bar issue is not only easy with Windows Live Mail but actually with all windows within Windows 7. If you open a window that lacks the menu bar you can click the Alt button while the window is active to display the menu bar. With the above image active the Alt button was clicked to display Windows Live Mail below with the menu bar.
Windows Live Mail With Menu Bar:
As you can see above the menu bar options such as File, Edit, View, Tools, etc. are now available.
Hi.
What happen if you don’t even have this menu bar hidden icon to click. For example, the icon itself is missing. Alt-M alos did not work. This happens when I chose and install the newsest wlm updates from microsoft windows optional updates.
Hello David534,
Try just the Alt button by itself when the window is open and active.
Thanks.
alex
I have tried everything – Alt, Alt+M, Alt + prayers – nothing works. I’m thinking of going over to a Mac.
Why do Microsoft make life so hard? I mean, it’s not as if they’re not getting paid, is it?
Hello Paul,
Not sure Paul…. it should be working as described in the article. I would imagine the issues will become more complicated moving from Windows to a Mac just the same as it would be for someone moving from a Mac to Windows. You might consider taking your computer into a computer store and having them look at the issue for you. They may be able to fix it quickly and not charge you.
Thanks.
alex
Thanks for your quick response, Alex. I seem to specialise in problems that can’t be fixed in the usual ways. Most memorably, years ago I had a problem getting certain websites to load (when my ISP said they were loading them, no problem) which had an expert in the US – in computers since they were beads on a string – tearing his hair out. Our lengthy correspondence was only terminated by 9/11…
I shall probably follow up your suggestion, not with a local computer store but with the pc professional who set up the brand-new laptop – where the problem is – onto which he installed Windows 7.
Here’s hoping. Thanks again.
Hello Paul,
No problem. Good luck getting your issue resolved!
Thanks.
alex
Hi there!
I can’t find the file, menu,edit tools as well. Ive tried the ALT key. It brings up some numbers that correspond to shortcuts and thats it. Im not happy with this incarnation of live mail. If its complicated for myself, it impossible for my clients. As a matter of fact it doesnt come up with any app I launch in windows 7, so therein lies the issue I guess. I admit Im still a newbie to windows 7. must be in windows 7 preferences or somewhere
Any ideas?
Hello William,
I am not sure to tell you the truth. The Alt key should do it as its not an actual setting but a hard coded key shortcut by default so unless the keyboard shortcuts have been modified the Alt key should work. You might try looking at the default keyboard shortcuts and see if you can modify it.
Thanks.
alex
I only get numbers popping up when I press alt .
Sure doesn,t work for me and is dissappointing that I bought a new computor for a program that wont work properly
Hello donald,
What numbers pop up? Do you by chance have function enabled or something? Alt is the default key to display the top navigation menu in Windows 7 and unless the keyboard shortcuts have been modified this should work.
Thanks.
alex
I have had the same experience, new computer that doesn’t work well and I get the same thing, the numbers that pop up. Did you figure this out or have another idea for me? PLEASE!
I agree with the others. All I get are numbers when I hit the ALT key and am unable to get to the tools to
change anything to not get red “x” when I forward things that have lovely photos when I receive them. Argh!