Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2007

[Desert Rider]

I've looked through this forum pretty extensively and can't seem to
find a clear answer to this. Probably because I'm having senior
moments . A friend just got a new laptop running Windows 7 Pro 64
bit with Office 2007 Basic installed. His current laptop is running
Windows XP Media Center with Office 2003. I have just setup his
Outlook 2007 profile. Can I take his .pst from the Outlook 2003, copy
it to a flash drive then replace the Outlook 2007 .pst created when I
set up the profile with it? Will that carry across all his custom
folders, contacts, calendar, etc.?

The other way to do this, at least as far as I've been able to
determine, is to bring the 2003 pst into the new system (should I
rename it to say Outlook_2003.pst?) then use the import function in
Outlook 2007 and point it to the 2003 pst file? Will that also bring
across all the data into the new pst?

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Charles W Davis]

The correct way is to move the .pst file. It contains all pertinent
information. I personally place the pst in a folder under (My) Documents so
that it is backed up during my normal back up.

 

[Russ Valentine]

Hard to imagine you looked through this forum "pretty extensively." The
answer has been posted here countless times. There is only one way to
migrate data correctly. None of them involves any of the options you
guessed. You never overwrite a PST file. You never import a PST file. You
never rename a PST file.
You copy the PST file to a location that ensures you are not overwriting
another PST file. You open it in your new Outlook profile using this
complicated set of instructions:
File > Open > Outlook data file.
After that it is your choice:
1. Copy the data from it into your new PST file
2. Set your old PST file as the default, restart Outlook, and close the PST
file the new installation created.

 

[Desert Rider]

The correct way is to move the .pst file. It contains all pertinent
information. I personally place the pst in a folder under (My) Documents so
that it is backed up during my normal back up.

Thanks for the reply. To be clear you said the correct way is to move
the file. Does that mean do as I stated in the first paragraph of my
post which is to move the 2003 pst onto the new system and then
replace the new 2007 pst with the moved one?

 

[Desert Rider]

Hard to imagine you looked through this forum "pretty extensively." The
answer has been posted here countless times. There is only one way to
migrate data correctly. None of them involves any of the options you
guessed. You never overwrite a PST file. You never import a PST file. You
never rename a PST file.
You copy the PST file to a location that ensures you are not overwriting
another PST file. You open it in your new Outlook profile using this
complicated set of instructions:
File > Open > Outlook data file.
After that it is your choice:
1. Copy the data from it into your new PST file
2. Set your old PST file as the default, restart Outlook, and close the PST
file the new installation created.

Well, contrary to what you have stated, I have tried to search for the
proper way to do this. There are, as you have stated, countless
answers on how to do this. Many of them are contradictory, unclear or
lacking in sufficient detail on exact procedures.

I am aware of the method of opening the old pst file and copying data
to the new pst. I was looking for the most efficient way to do this
migration of data. Your # 2 indicates this would be the best way. I
assume that also means that the old pst file cannot reside in the same
directory as the recently created 2007 file. Do you have a
recommendation on where I should place the 2003 pst file? Also, could
you detail on exactly how one "sets the old pst as the default". I'm
trying not to screw this up!

I do thank you for your response.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Yes, that is exactly what you need to do. Make sure you point the new
profile to the pst before you open outlook. Do not use import to move the
data into a new pst.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]

Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center: http://www.slipstick.com/

Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Poll: What version of Outlook do you use?
http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=27072

 

[Desert Rider]

Yes, that is exactly what you need to do. Make sure you point the new
profile to the pst before you open outlook. Do not use  import to move the
data into a new pst.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Outlook Tips:http://www.outlook-tips.net/
Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center:http://www.slipstick.com/

Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Poll: What version of Outlook do you use?http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=27072

I've looked through this forum pretty extensively and can't seem to
find a clear answer to this. Probably because I'm having senior
moments . A friend just got a new laptop running Windows 7 Pro 64
bit with Office 2007 Basic installed. His current laptop is running
Windows XP Media Center with Office 2003. I have just setup his
Outlook 2007 profile. Can I take his .pst from the Outlook 2003, copy
it to a flash drive then replace the Outlook 2007 .pst created when I
set up the profile with it? Will that carry across all his custom
folders, contacts, calendar, etc.?

The other way to do this, at least as far as I've been able to
determine, is to bring the 2003 pst into the new system (should I
rename it to say Outlook_2003.pst?) then use the import function in
Outlook 2007 and point it to the 2003 pst file? Will that also bring
across all the data into the new pst?

Thanks for any assistance.

Thank you for responding. While I do appreciate your answer, as I
stated earlier sometimes these answers are unclear.

yes, that is exactly what you need to do what does that refer to?
Make sure you point the new profile to the pst before you open outlook.

How do you do this without opening Outlook?

I'm really not trying to difficult about this but for a person that is
not even remotely as familiar with the newer versions of Outlook as
both you and Russ are I hope you can understand my confusion. I still
am using Outlook 2000 but plan on upgrading to Outlook 2007

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

The first question/comment you made is the correct way. Although, in
re-reading it, I see you planned to paste it over the old pst. That worked
well with old versions but can corrupt the profile in Outlook 2007.

Set up the profile from the control panel, mail applet (use classic or icon
view of control panel) and select the old pst at that time. See
http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/2007_profile.htm

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]

Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center: http://www.slipstick.com/

Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Poll: What version of Outlook do you use?
http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=27072

Yes, that is exactly what you need to do. Make sure you point the new
profile to the pst before you open outlook. Do not use import to move
the
data into a new pst.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Outlook Tips:http://www.outlook-tips.net/
Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center:http://www.slipstick.com/

Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Poll: What version of Outlook do you
use?http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=27072

I've looked through this forum pretty extensively and can't seem to
find a clear answer to this. Probably because I'm having senior
moments . A friend just got a new laptop running Windows 7 Pro 64
bit with Office 2007 Basic installed. His current laptop is running
Windows XP Media Center with Office 2003. I have just setup his
Outlook 2007 profile. Can I take his .pst from the Outlook 2003, copy
it to a flash drive then replace the Outlook 2007 .pst created when I
set up the profile with it? Will that carry across all his custom
folders, contacts, calendar, etc.?

The other way to do this, at least as far as I've been able to
determine, is to bring the 2003 pst into the new system (should I
rename it to say Outlook_2003.pst?) then use the import function in
Outlook 2007 and point it to the 2003 pst file? Will that also bring
across all the data into the new pst?

Thanks for any assistance.

Thank you for responding. While I do appreciate your answer, as I
stated earlier sometimes these answers are unclear.

yes, that is exactly what you need to do what does that refer to?
Make sure you point the new profile to the pst before you open outlook.

How do you do this without opening Outlook?

I'm really not trying to difficult about this but for a person that is
not even remotely as familiar with the newer versions of Outlook as
both you and Russ are I hope you can understand my confusion. I still
am using Outlook 2000 but plan on upgrading to Outlook 2007

 

[Desert Rider]

The first question/comment you made is the correct way.  Although, in
re-reading it, I see you planned to paste it over the old pst. That worked
well with old versions but can corrupt the profile in Outlook 2007.

Set up the profile from the control panel, mail applet (use classic or icon
view of control panel) and select the old pst at that time.  Seehttp://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/2007_profile.htm

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Outlook Tips:http://www.outlook-tips.net/
Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center:http://www.slipstick.com/

Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Poll: What version of Outlook do you use?http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=27072

Yes, that is exactly what you need to do. Make sure you point the new
profile to the pst before you open outlook. Do not use  import to move
the
data into a new pst.
--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Outlook Tips:http://www.outlook-tips.net/
Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center:http://www.slipstick.com/
Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]
EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]
Poll: What version of Outlook do you
use?http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=27072

I've looked through this forum pretty extensively and can't seem to
find a clear answer to this. Probably because I'm having senior
moments . A friend just got a new laptop running Windows 7 Pro 64
bit with Office 2007 Basic installed. His current laptop is running
Windows XP Media Center with Office 2003. I have just setup his
Outlook 2007 profile. Can I take his .pst from the Outlook 2003, copy
it to a flash drive then replace the Outlook 2007 .pst created when I
set up the profile with it? Will that carry across all his custom
folders, contacts, calendar, etc.?
The other way to do this, at least as far as I've been able to
determine, is to bring the 2003 pst into the new system (should I
rename it to say Outlook_2003.pst?) then use the import function in
Outlook 2007 and point it to the 2003 pst file? Will that also bring
across all the data into the new pst?
Thanks for any assistance.

Thank you for responding. While I do appreciate your answer, as I
stated earlier sometimes these answers are unclear.
How do you do this without opening Outlook?

I'm really not trying to difficult about this but for a person that is
not even remotely as familiar with the newer versions of Outlook as
both you and Russ are I hope you can understand my confusion. I still
am using Outlook 2000 but plan on upgrading to Outlook 2007

OK, I think I got it. I will move the 2003 pst into a directory like
say My Documents>Outlook pst. I will then open Mail Profile applet and
select the Data Files button on the Mail Setup. I will then point it
to the 2003 pst, OK it and then Set as default per the link you
provided. Does this sound right?

 

[Russ Valentine]

You can put the PST file anywhere you wish. It is better not to place it
into Outlook's default location because you run the risk of overwriting
another PST file. Most people put it with other data they regularly back up.
Once you open the PST file in Outlook, you set it as the default in Tools >
Account Settings > Data Files...
--
Russ Valentine

Hard to imagine you looked through this forum "pretty extensively." The
answer has been posted here countless times. There is only one way to
migrate data correctly. None of them involves any of the options you
guessed. You never overwrite a PST file. You never import a PST file. You
never rename a PST file.
You copy the PST file to a location that ensures you are not overwriting
another PST file. You open it in your new Outlook profile using this
complicated set of instructions:
File > Open > Outlook data file.
After that it is your choice:
1. Copy the data from it into your new PST file
2. Set your old PST file as the default, restart Outlook, and close the
PST
file the new installation created.

Well, contrary to what you have stated, I have tried to search for the
proper way to do this. There are, as you have stated, countless
answers on how to do this. Many of them are contradictory, unclear or
lacking in sufficient detail on exact procedures.

I am aware of the method of opening the old pst file and copying data
to the new pst. I was looking for the most efficient way to do this
migration of data. Your # 2 indicates this would be the best way. I
assume that also means that the old pst file cannot reside in the same
directory as the recently created 2007 file. Do you have a
recommendation on where I should place the 2003 pst file? Also, could
you detail on exactly how one "sets the old pst as the default". I'm
trying not to screw this up!

I do thank you for your response.

 

[Desert Rider]

You can put the PST file anywhere you wish. It is better not to place it
into Outlook's default location because you run the risk of overwriting
another PST file. Most people put it with other data they regularly back up.
Once you open the PST file in Outlook, you set it as the default in Tools>
Account Settings > Data Files...
--



Well, contrary to what you have stated, I have tried to search for the
proper way to do this. There are, as you have stated, countless
answers on how to do this. Many of them are contradictory, unclear or
lacking in sufficient detail on exact procedures.

I am aware of the method of opening the old pst file and copying data
to the new pst. I was looking for the most efficient way to do this
migration of data. Your # 2 indicates this would be the best way. I
assume that also means that the old pst file cannot reside in the same
directory as the recently created 2007 file. Do you have a
recommendation on where I should place the 2003 pst file? Also, could
you detail on exactly how one "sets the old pst as the default". I'm
trying not to screw this up!

I do thank you for your response.

Russ, thanks for the clarification on placement of pst file. One
question...you mention opening Outlook and then the pst file and then
setting it as the default. Diane's post suggested pointing at and
setting as default through the Control Panel Mail applet before
opening Outlook. Which would you recommend as the preferred or safest
option?

 

[Russ Valentine]

Either works fine. I prefer to do the operation from within Outlook itself
so that I can ensure that I'm connecting to PST file to the right Outlook
profile.
--
Russ Valentine

You can put the PST file anywhere you wish. It is better not to place it
into Outlook's default location because you run the risk of overwriting
another PST file. Most people put it with other data they regularly back
up.
Once you open the PST file in Outlook, you set it as the default in Tools
Account Settings > Data Files...
--



Well, contrary to what you have stated, I have tried to search for the
proper way to do this. There are, as you have stated, countless
answers on how to do this. Many of them are contradictory, unclear or
lacking in sufficient detail on exact procedures.

I am aware of the method of opening the old pst file and copying data
to the new pst. I was looking for the most efficient way to do this
migration of data. Your # 2 indicates this would be the best way. I
assume that also means that the old pst file cannot reside in the same
directory as the recently created 2007 file. Do you have a
recommendation on where I should place the 2003 pst file? Also, could
you detail on exactly how one "sets the old pst as the default". I'm
trying not to screw this up!

I do thank you for your response.

Russ, thanks for the clarification on placement of pst file. One
question...you mention opening Outlook and then the pst file and then
setting it as the default. Diane's post suggested pointing at and
setting as default through the Control Panel Mail applet before
opening Outlook. Which would you recommend as the preferred or safest
option?

 

[Desert Rider]

Either works fine. I prefer to do the operation from within Outlook itself
so that I can ensure that I'm connecting to PST file to the right Outlook
profile.
--








Russ, thanks for the clarification on placement of pst file. One
question...you mention opening Outlook and then the pst file and then
setting it as the default. Diane's post suggested pointing at and
setting as default through the Control Panel Mail applet before
opening Outlook. Which would you recommend as the preferred or safest
option?

Worked without a hitch. Moved the 2003 PST into My
Documents>OutlookPST. Opened Outlook 2007, opened the PST (data file),
highlighted it, selected Tools>Account Settings>Data Files, selected
the Change tab, highlighted the 2003 PST location and set it as
default. I then closed Outlook, reopened it, closed the Personal
Folders that was the one linked to the original profile setup and
everything was peachy bueno with all mail, custom folders, calendar,
etc.

Appreciate the help and patience from all that responded.