MS outlook 2003 or 2007 for new computer? Small business

[lbbss]

We are looking at getting either MS outlook 2003 or 2007. Obviously
2003 is cheaper. My wife has a small business and she does not want
to loose here emails and email small groups. Would it make sense to
get 2003 (which she had on the old computer). If there is a lot of
good advantages with 2007 we would consider it. I am fairly handy
with computers, so I would convert here if need be. Will have to
research it first on the web to see what is involved. From the
little that I read sounds like converting the emails will be more
difficult when jumping to 2007 version. Any insight would be
appreciated, what is involved to convert or if even is worth doing.
thanks.

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

if everything is in outlook 2003 now, there is nothing to convert. Are you
getting the entire office suite or just outlook?

 

[lbbss]

I never thought about it, but you are probly right, I could install
outlook 2003, and for the rest install 2007 version. That is
assuming there is a good reason to get excel and word 2007. She uses
excel quite a bit for your business. Any major advantages? Is
there any reason that you can think of, why mixing the two could
create a conflict? thanks.

 

[lbbss]

So are you saying that there is no utility program or nothing that can
convert here contact email list and emails? What are people suppose
to do when they have a business, forever more, have to put outlook
2003 on their new computers? tx

 

[Hal Hostetler [MVP P/I]]

There's no utility because there's nothing to convert. Outlook 2003 and
Outlook 2007 use the same data file structure, so all you have to do is make
a copy of the 2003 data file, move it to your new computer with Outlook 2007
(put it somewhere where it won't overwrite any existing Outlook data files),
then open it with 'File|Open|Outlook Data File'. Contacts and emails will
all be there, no conversions required. If you're updating Outlook 2003 to
2007 on the same machine, there's even less work to do. Uninstall Outlook
2003 (your data files, email account data, profile data, etc., will not be
touched by this), then install Outlook 2007; all your data should be picked
up by the install and presented to you when you launch Outlook 2007.

Hal
--
Hal Hostetler, CPBE -- (e-mail address removed)
Senior Engineer/MIS -- MS MVP-Print/Imaging -- WA7BGX
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