How to import iaf files into outlook express 6.0

[charyo]

Hi
I have windows xp pro and vista on my computer. I find I like OE 6.0 on my
xp pro to be much faster than windows mail, and I need to switch to windows
mail. Unfortunately, i have several accounts on windows mail, and I have
forgotten their passwords. So I exported each account in windows mail, and
have saved the internet account settings (in *.iaf files). When I use the
import function in OE 6.0 (Tools->accounts->Import), it won't let me import
any account settings. I don't remember the passwords of a few of those
accounts (which currently work with windows mail), but I need to create such
accounts in OE 6.0. Is there a way I can migrate account settings in windows
mail to OE 6.0?
Thanks
Charyo

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi
I have windows xp pro and vista on my computer. I find I like OE 6.0 on my
xp pro to be much faster than windows mail, and I need to switch to
windows
mail. Unfortunately, i have several accounts on windows mail, and I have
forgotten their passwords. So I exported each account in windows mail, and
have saved the internet account settings (in *.iaf files). When I use the
import function in OE 6.0 (Tools->accounts->Import), it won't let me
import
any account settings. I don't remember the passwords of a few of those
accounts (which currently work with windows mail), but I need to create
such
accounts in OE 6.0. Is there a way I can migrate account settings in
windows
mail to OE 6.0?
Thanks
Charyo

If the passwords are still working on the XP system, you're in luck.

There is a small utility called "mailpv", for "Mail Password Viewer", which
will collect and display data on a variety of mail and news accounts on a
user account. The data includes the server names, the user names, *and the
passwords*. It does not include port or SSL settings. It works on both
XP and Vista.

Download and run it on one system, highlight all the accounts, save to a
text file, take that infomation to the other system. Or, run it on both
and file the results.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/mailpv.html

Note that many antivirus programs will properly detect this utility as
malware, since it's essentially a password stealer. You will likely find
that within a few minutes, your antivirus utility wants to quarantine the
file, so use it promptly. I checked this just now, and had to tell my A/V
to create an exception for it. You may also need to run it As
Administrator.

HTH
-pk

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

As I recall, the .iaf files don't save the password anyway.
You will need to call your mail provider and have them reset the password.

 

[charyo]

Unfortunately, I am unable to download mailpv.zip. Almost all browsers
conisder it a spy site or won't let me go anywhere near it.
Does it really have a trojan?
Secondly, are there fake versions of it running around which contain a virus?
Thanks

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

It should be fine if you download it from the author's website.
Have you read the instructions on that page? It clearly warns that many
AV programs may identify it as a virus. You may want to 'snooze' your
AV while downloading and using that utility.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

When I use the

import function in OE 6.0 (Tools->accounts->Import), it won't let me
import
any account settings.

What happens when you try to import the IAF file? If you get an error
message, post it verbatim.

Did you remove the Read Only attribute the IAF might have before attempting
to import it?
--
OE-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.outlookexpress.general

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

 

[charyo]

The error was" The import did not complete because an error occurred.

I did manage to download mailpv.zip file and did retrieve my passwords. Many
thanks for the suggestion. The funny thing is that the author's download page
is blocked by some browsers, by default.
Chary

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

[x-post to OE General]

Repost:
Was the same account already configured in OE (i.e., before you attempted to
import the IAF file)?

Is the identity into which you tried to import the IAF file named "Main
Identity" (cf. OE File | Identities | Manage identities)?

Can you import the IAF file in a newly created identity (OE File |
Identities | Add new identity)?
--
~PA Bear

The error was" The import did not complete because an error occurred.

 

[charyo]

Repost:

Yes. In fact, it was already unselected.

Was the same account already configured in OE (i.e., before you attempted to
import the IAF file)?
No.

Is the identity into which you tried to import the IAF file named "Main
Identity" (cf. OE File | Identities | Manage identities)?
Yes

Can you import the IAF file in a newly created identity (OE File |
Identities | Add new identity)?
--

I tried doing that but I still got the same error. It could be that IAF
files geenerated by Windows Mail are not compatible with IAF files in OE.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Unfortunately, I am unable to download mailpv.zip. Almost all browsers
conisder it a spy site or won't let me go anywhere near it.

You mean *your* browsers do.

Does it really have a trojan?

It's a utility to reveal passwords. Of course they think it's malware; it's
the kind of function that password stealers use.

Secondly, are there fake versions of it running around which contain a
virus?

Sure, it's possible, so get it from the source.

HTH
-pk

 

[Patrick Keenan]

As I recall, the .iaf files don't save the password anyway.
You will need to call your mail provider and have them reset the password.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)
========================

It's worked for me repeatedly, recently. I've had to move a number of mail
accounts from XP/OE to Vista/WM/WLM systems.

-pk

 

[Mia]

I borrow this tread a bit, hope it is ok!

I have tried all day to get a .iaf in to my outlook express. It contains all
my old emails, so i ama bit ennoyed by this!
When i try to import i can only choose to import stuff from already
installed program.. Why is this and HOW do i get my emails back?

 

[Sky King]

The .IAF files are used to store account information, not the actual email
contents. If I understand correctly, what you wish to do is to import old
email files (.DBX files) from another computer or a prior install of OE.

To import those old email files, open OE, then click File (from the pulldown
menu) then Import, then Messages. Select Outlook Express 6, Next, Import
email from an OE 6 store folder, Next, and then browse to the folder that
contains those old .DBX files. Select All or pick the ones you want, then
follow the prompts. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270670 for
additional information if needed.