I don't know anything about Windows Essentials. Have you tried a different email package? Do you not have Outlook with your office version?

I've just worked out that the dropdown arrow I mentioned must be your QAT customisation arrow and you've positioned it under the ribbon. Can you add a few buttons there to visit the document template dialog so you can find out what templates and addins are running?

__________________
Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia