Transfer Outlook Express email, address book to Outlook 2007

[Motownmike]

Excuse me for being somewhat stupid, but I am attempting to transfer my
Outlook Express 6.0 e-mails and address book on my old computer with XP to my
new computer that has Vista and Outlook 2007. I have read several posts and
threads, and none of them work for one reason or the other. Most of those
posts seem to think a user has Outlook Express and Outlook on the same
computer. That's not my case. So, first, is it possible to make these
transfers without paying $30 or $40 for a special program? Secondly, is there
an article or site with detail instructions that I can go to? Or, finally,
can you offer me simple suggestions or directions on how to do it? Thanks in
advance.

 

[DL]

You have to copy the entire OE msg store to your Vista PC, then import that
into Windows Mail before then exporting msgs to Outlook (Outlook has to be
configured)
Your old addresses are in a wab file - I dont know its location - you copy
that file to Vista, then you can import that into Outlook

Maybe some help in the Vista.mail group

 

[William]

Excuse me for being somewhat stupid, but I am attempting to transfer my
Outlook Express 6.0 e-mails and address book on my old computer with XP to my
new computer that has Vista and Outlook 2007. I have read several posts and
threads, and none of them work for one reason or the other. Most of those
posts seem to think a user has Outlook Express and Outlook on the same
computer. That's not my case. So, first, is it possible to make these
transfers without paying $30 or $40 for a special program? Secondly, is there
an article or site with detail instructions that I can go to? Or, finally,
can you offer me simple suggestions or directions on how to do it? Thanks in
advance.

You need to do this in several steps:

Step 1 - Gather all the OE files. Run a "Search" for files and
folders. In "Advanced Options", select to search hidden files and
folders. Look for files named *.dbx (OE data files) and *.wab (Address
Book). Use any availabel method to copy these files over to a folder
on the Vista machine.

Step 2 - Import the OE files into Windows-Mail. Open Windows-Mail
(WM), cancel any wizards, and don't bother setting up email.

2a - Within the main WM screen, choose "File" > "Import" > "Windows
Contacts" > "Windows Address Book" > "Import". Browse to the folder
that holds your OE data, the click Open. Your Address-Book will be
imported.

2b - Still within the main WM screen, choose "File" > "Import" >
"Messages" > "Microsoft Outlook Express 6" > "Import mail from an OE6
store directory" > "OK" > "Browse", then select the OE data folder and
click "SElect Folder" (Note: don't double-click the folder or browse
into it, just click once to select it). At the next screen select to
import all folders. You Email will then be imported.

Step 3 - Migrate from WM to Outlook. Close WM and then open
Outlook-2007. If prompted about default mail client, click "Yes".
Don't bother setting up email yet. Within the main Outlook screen,
choose "File" > "Import and Export" > "Import Internet Mail and
Addresses" > "Outlook Express or Windows Mail". Select both of "Import
Mail" and "Import Address Book", then click "Next" > "Finish". Your
Address-Book and Emails will be imported.

Good luck.

 

[DL]

Step 3) Importing mail in outlook resets the dates to the import date, which
can have unintended consequences.
Better to Export Mail from WM to Outlook, which doesnt inpact on the dates.

 

[William]

Step 3) Importing mail in outlook resets the dates to the import date, which
can have unintended consequences.
Better to Export Mail from WM to Outlook, which doesnt inpact on the dates.

I tested my method and it preserved the dates in their original form.
Besides, Export from WM only offers Exchange or Eudora.

 

[Motownmike]

Thanks for the better/clearer instructions, it finally worked. The key was
importing them into Windows Mail, which I didn't ever realize was on my
machine, and then exporting to Outlook.

Thanks againl.

 

[Gordon]

I tested my method and it preserved the dates in their original form.
Besides, Export from WM only offers Exchange or Eudora.

But it doesn't preserve the MODIFIED date, on which Outlook uses for many
functions, archiving included.
And if you click on Export-Exchange it then allows you to export to Outlook.

 

[William]

But it doesn't preserve the MODIFIED date, on which Outlook uses for many
functions, archiving included.
And if you click on Export-Exchange it then allows you to export to Outlook.

Fair enough, thanks for that information. Based on the OP's update,
looks like he used the WM Export option successfully.

 

[DL]

The Exchange export is the correct option to export to Outlook (Its not
dependent on Exchange being Installed)
Perhaps I should have stated ' changes modified date to the Export date'
And since Outlook Archive works on modified date, then this is an unintended
consequence