Removing S/MIME Control in OWA 2003

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024 | Published: Jan 07, 2009

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How can I remove (uninstall) the S/MIME Control component in Outlook Web Access (OWA) 2003 SP2?

One of the new features of Outlook Web Access in Exchange Server 2003 is the ability to encrypt and digitally sign messages when using OWA. In order to do so, you will need to install the S/MIME Control in OWA by downloading it to the computer that you are using.
Note: These features are only available as part of the Exchange Server 2003 OWA, and are not available on previous versions of OWA.
Note: Before being able to encrypt or sign messages you will need to apply for, receive and install a Digital Certificate designated for this purpose. For more info please see the Related Articles section at the bottom of this page.
While performing encryption and signing of messages can usually be a good thing for most people, there may be instances when one might need to remove the S/MIME Control component from their computer.
Other benefits are described in the S/MIME Benefits in OWA 2003 article.
BTW, there’s an issue with IE 7 and the S/MIME control found in Exchange 2003. Read more about it and how to fix it in Internet Explorer 7 Crashes when Posting Messages in OWA 2003.
Note: When using the latest S/MIME control (as of November 2006 – v6.5.7651.43) – this workaround is no longer needed!

The problem

And here is the problem: When you use Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel to remove the S/MIME Control you will get the following error message:
————————— Add or Remove Programs ————————— Another version of this product is already installed. Installation of this version cannot continue. To configure or remove the existing version of this product, use Add/Remove Programs on the Control Panel. ————————— OK —————————
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Naturally, you will not be able to remove it from your computer.
Note that the file version is 6.5.7226.0
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The solution

I looked and looked and finally figured that in order to remove this component you will need to reinstall the older S/MIME Control component from an earlier version of Exchange Server 2003, and after doing that you will be able to successfully remove the component.
If you’ll ever need to reinstall the component, just follow the installation guide found at the links section below.
On your Exchange Server 2003 SP2 computer, navigate to the folder where you’ve installed Exchange (usually C or D), and in it look for the following folder:
D:Program FilesExchsrvrexchweb6.5.7226.0cabs
In this folder you’ll find a file called setupmcl.exe (309kb).
Copy this file to your workstation and install it by double-clicking on it (you can also install it from the network).


After installing the file you can go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, and look for the Microsoft Outlook Web Access S/MIME component.
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Note that the file version is 6.5.738.1
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Click to remove the tool, and acknowledge the question.
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Whenever you would like to reinstall the S/MIME Control component, just follow the Configure Message Security in OWA 2003 article.

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