Transfer old messages from Outlook Express

[Guest]

On my old laptop (Win XP, Outlook Express) i have many messages that i would
like to transfer onto my new desktop for access in Windows Mail.
I can export the messages but that goes to a profile called Outlook - how
can I access that file and copy it to my new machine - Vista Premium.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

On my old laptop (Win XP, Outlook Express) i have many messages that i
would
like to transfer onto my new desktop for access in Windows Mail.
I can export the messages but that goes to a profile called Outlook - how
can I access that file and copy it to my new machine - Vista Premium.

See http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx

 

[Hal Hostetler [MVP P/I]]

Exporting messages "To a profile called Outlook" actually transfers messages
from Outlook Express to Microsoft Office Outlook which probably isn't what
you want to do. Copy your .DBX files and use the instructions in the link
Frank posted to move everything into WM.

http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx

Hal
--
Hal Hostetler, CPBE -- (e-mail address removed)
Senior Engineer/MIS -- MS MVP-Print/Imaging -- WA7BGX
http://www.kvoa.com -- "When News breaks, we fix it!"
KVOA Television, Tucson, AZ. NBC Channel 4
Still Cadillacin' - www.badnewsbluesband.com

 

[Guest]

I am having a similar problem but went from WinME to Vista Home Premium. I
did NOT create a backup directory in OE 4/5/6 for the mail; the various .dbx
files are simply the .dbx files cut and paste from the c:\windows\application
data\(ID Number here)\Microsoft\Outlook Express directory. I would like to
import my mail and address book (the old .wab format).

I used to use R-mail to directly view my .dbx files, but it appears it no
longer works in Vista. If I am unable to import the email directly, is there
a .dbx viewer program that anyone could recommend?

All of the .dbx files together are quite large, around 800 meg, and other
..dbx files I would like to import are in the neighborhood of several gig.

Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Frank

That looks very useful - however I am an ancient (MS DOS) type person. The
instructions say that I should copy the dbx files etc, etc - where are the
dbx files in Win XP/Outlook Express? I have searched everywhere and tried
the help system without success (as usual).
Once I find those I understand what needs to be done.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Steve Cochran]

If you don't have folders.dbx with the saved dbx files, then you are out of
luck. Otherwise you should be able to import if you follow the steps here
exactly: www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#oe2wm

For single files you are out of luck without a 3rd party program. My OEX
program (www.oehelp.com/OEX/) for instance will allow you to point to any
non-corrupt dbx file and import it into the Winmail (or OE) message store.
It works in OE and in WinMail.

Also see www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#4 for some clarification on the message
store in OE.

The address book you should be able to copy over and then use File | Import
| Address book in WinMail.

steve

 

[Steve Cochran]

See www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#4 The files are hidden and you have to both
enable seeing hidden files via Tools | Options | View in Windows Explorer
and when searching you have to do an Advanced search and include hidden
files in the advanced search.

They don't make it easy.

steve

 

[speedjer]

Hi Hal,

I am able to import my .dbx files all into win mail. However, when i open
win mail, i will see 2 sets of inbox. One is where the mails will come in by
default, and the other is actually a imported folder under local folders.
(this set shows all my previous messages being imported). Have tried to del
the main inbox without success.

Please help

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

Hi Hal,

I am able to import my .dbx files all into win mail. However, when i open
win mail, i will see 2 sets of inbox. One is where the mails will come in
by
default, and the other is actually a imported folder under local folders.
(this set shows all my previous messages being imported). Have tried to
del
the main inbox without success.

Please help

Move those in the Imported Inbox to wherever you want and then delete that
one. You can't delete a default folder.