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Back Up or Copy Mail Files in Outlook Express

Wizard27

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Registered: 10-2006
Posts: 122
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Back Up or Copy Mail Files in Outlook Express

Start by opening your Outlook Express Store Folder in Windows Explorer.

1. Select Edit / Select All from the menu in this folder. (Or press Ctrl-A)
2. Make sure all files (including Folders.dbx in particular) are highlighted.
3. Select Edit / Copy from the menu to copy the files. (Alternatively, press Ctrl-C)
4. Open the folder where you want to keep the backup copies (on another hard disk, a DVD or a network drive, for example) in Windows Explorer.
5. Select Edit / Paste from the menu to paste the files to your backup folder. (Alternatively, press Ctrl-V)

Restoring your Outlook Express data
Restoring from the backup is just as easy.

1. Select File / Import / Messages... from the menu in Outlook Express.
2. Highlight Outlook Express 6 or Outlook Express 5 as the email program to import from.
3. Click Next
4. Make sure Import mail from an OE6 store directory or Import mail from an OE5 store directory is selected.
5. Click OK.
6. Use the Browse button to select the folder containing your backup copy of the Outlook Express mail store.
7. Click Next

Note: If you get the message No messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has the required files open., make sure the files you try to import are not read-only: copy the .dbx files off any read-only medium (from a CD-ROM to a folder on your Desktop, for example), highlight the .dbx files in Windows Explorer, click with the right mouse button, select Properties from the menu, make sure Read Only is not checked and click OK

Now you can do either...

a) Select All folders to import all mail or
b) Highlight specific mailboxes under Selected folders: to restore only the highlighted folders.

8. Click Next
9. Click Finish

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2/11/06, 19:26

CDI
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Registered: 08-2004
Location: Benidorm, Alicante, Spain
Posts: 64
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Re: Back Up or Copy Mail Files in Outlook Express

I can't for the life of me find the data storage, inbox, outbox, messages etc on my computer. The address book is no problem but I need a backup of the rest of it. It's the Outlook Express store folder on drive C I am having trouble with.

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Barchester - For Beginners

19/9/07, 14:42

The Wizard3
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Registered: 06-2006
Location: Castle Belgalor
Posts: 1860
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Re: Back Up or Copy Mail Files in Outlook Express

First of all you need to view your hidden folders to get to the Outlook Express folders etc.

1. Control Panel
2. Folder Options
3. View Tab
4. Select 'Show hidden files and folders'

Now you need to navigate to....

1. C: drive
2. Documents & Settings
3. Your name
4. Local Settings (which will be shaded)
5. Application Data
6. Identities

You will see a yellow folder which be named something like {3132EF7.........}

Double Click the folder to reveal the Microsoft folder
This will then show the Outlook Express folder
Double-click the folder to reveal your Inbox / Outbox and other folders which you have made which will be .DBX files

Best thing to do once you've found your folder is move the {3132EF7.........} folder to your CD Burner then burn it onto a CD-RW disc

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