Backing up Windows Mail newsgroup settings

[Paul]

I would like to create a file/files that have my newsgroup settings from
Windows Mail, that I can import the next time I have to reinstall Vista.
Does Windows Mail make a backup file? I searched the Vista help files but
the only thing I saw was the Windows easy transfer wizard---I would like to
keep this file in my Documents folder, which I back up to an external
drive--Windows won't save the file to the same hard drive like I would
prefer. Is there any other way to back up my Windows Mail settings?

I see in Windows Mail, the Tools>Accounts button will give me a new window,
which allows me to click Export, which will produce an .iaf file. Is this
what I am interested in?

 

[Paul]

Let me clarify--I'm not interested in backing up messages from the
newsgroups, just the account settings and view customizations. Is there a
way to do that?

 

[mac]

I would like to create a file/files that have my newsgroup settings from
Windows Mail, that I can import the next time I have to reinstall Vista.
Does Windows Mail make a backup file? I searched the Vista help files but
the only thing I saw was the Windows easy transfer wizard---I would like to
keep this file in my Documents folder, which I back up to an external
drive--Windows won't save the file to the same hard drive like I would
prefer. Is there any other way to back up my Windows Mail settings?

I see in Windows Mail, the Tools>Accounts button will give me a new
window, which allows me to click Export, which will produce an .iaf file.
Is this what I am interested in?

Tools>accounts.
Select each news and or mail account in turn>export, create a folder for all
your accounts to go to.

You can then copy that folder to a memory stick or other medium.

Same place is used to Import them.

 

[Paul]

Great. Thanks.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

I'm not really experienced with Easy Transfer. But i think it should be
doable. Couldn't you just copy the resulting file to the storage place
in your "Documents"?

Let me clarify--I'm not interested in backing up messages from the
newsgroups, just the account settings and view customizations. Is
there a way to do that?

Using WinMail's export feature for the accounts to "iaf"-files and
following "mac"'s suggestion based on that would only partly work. You'd
then have the *account* data but nothing else. As to my experience the
other settings - especially rules and customized view - are even more
important. It's easy to set up an account if one has the data at hand.
But repeating the creation of rules and views is not trivial. And
signatures are an issue too. Not to forget "stationary" (in case you use
that, which I don't).

So my suggestion would be to look around for a backup tool for WinMail.

I have been using "WMBackup" since I started with Vista and it works
really fine. It's a German product, however, and AFAICS they don't have
an English version.
So might ask aunt Google for something similar. A short search
brought up - among others -
Auto Windows Mail Backup -
http://www.emailadept.com/Windows-Mail-Backup.htm
Win Mail Backup http://ajsystems.com/winmailbackup/wmb.html
WinMail Backup http://www.priotecs.com/en/windows-mail-backup/index.php

Looking at the prices I think that for your needs (no mails to be saved)
perhaps "Acronis True Image" might be a better solution. True Image 2009
is a most powerful instruments for all backup and imaging tasks and can
regarded as a life saver. I would not miss it anymore.
Among the features is a backup for WinMail as well as Outlook.
You may download a fully functional trial version:
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/download/trueimage/

HTH
Rainald

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

I use this third party program:
http://www.staticbackup.com/windows-mail-backup

You can download the free version:
http://www.staticbackup.com/downloads.htm

However, I don't think there is a setting to forgo the messages.

 

[Paul]

Thanks Gary. I just installed it. I'll see how well its backup files are
after I get a chance to play with a vista computer that doesn't have my
Windows Mail settings arleady installed. Backup ran fairly smoothly.

--
Paul
Vista Home Basic
Office 2007
I use this third party program:
http://www.staticbackup.com/windows-mail-backup

You can download the free version:
http://www.staticbackup.com/downloads.htm

However, I don't think there is a setting to forgo the messages.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

You're very welcome. I think you'll be pleased.