Where does Outlook Express keep emails?

[dookiebot]

K here's the dealio.

I reinstalled Windows cuz my registry was self-hax0red by a bad power supply in my case.

I kept the original Windows folder and installed it in a folder called Windows.000 .

Now I can't find my emails. I know Outlook Express is located in the Program Files folder but I don't think the email are kept in there.

Does anyone know where? I am using Win98se.

[ItsNoot]

Aren't they in .pst files like the full version of Outlook? Try a search for *.pst. If outlook.pst is there give it a shot. Also, I can't remember if Express has an archiving feature, but archive.pst holds those. Both those files should import.

Can you tell it's been a while since I used Express? :D

[Kermit]

That's a damn good question I Have been asking myself. With Outlook, it's in a PST file. I duno about Express though. I have wanted to know that for some time now. That's one of the things that kept me using Netscape mail. The fact that I can't import all my saved netscape mail to Outlook, and the fact that my addy book is in netscape. So, I have to keep installing netscape everytime I format.

[Kermit]

Noot beat me to the post. But I can tell you noot that they are not in PST files. Unfortuneatly. I already checked that.

[ItsNoot]

D'OH! Shoulda known, thanks Kermit. Maybe that's why I started using full Outlook, LOL.

[ItsNoot]

Holy Cow! Did I ever tell you the new Help in XP is GREAT! This says it applies to Me not 98, but I bet it's the same.

Edit: OK, cleaned out a lot of the BS.

SUMMARY
This article describes how to locate your saved files or folders after you install Windows into a new folder, and how to restore those files to your current Windows installation.

MORE INFORMATION
After you install Windows to a new folder by using the procedure that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article, you may be unable to locate your saved files or folders:


Folder Name : Microsoft Outlook Express e-mail folder
Current Location : C:\Windows\Application_Data\Identities\{A878D3CB-6B11-4F9B-AB61-4033CD1E5BBB}\Microsoft\Outlook_Express
Saved Configuration : C:\Oldwin\Application_Data\Identities\{A878D3CB-6B11-4F9B-AB61-4033CD1E5BBB}\Microsoft\Outlook Express


Folder Name : Windows Address Book (.wab)
Current Location : C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
Saved Configuration : C:\Oldwin\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book


Restoring Files to the New Location


Restore E-mail Messaging
To restore previous e-mail messages and address books, start the messaging program, and then import the files from the corresponding folder locations in the saved Windows configuration. The following table lists some common file extensions for messaging programs.
Program Type of File File Extension
Outlook Express - Windows Address Book - .wab
Outlook Express - Mail Folders - .mbx
Microsoft Exchange Client - Personal Folder Storage - .pst
Outlook Express - Mail Folders - .dbx
Outlook Express - E-mail - .eml

For additional information about how to import and move personal folders, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q257831 OL2000: (IMO) How to Move Your Personal Folders
Q283205 OLEXP: Restoring Outlook Express Folders After Re-Installing Windows
Q257836 OL98: (IMO) How to Move Your Personal Folders
Q188854 OLEXP: How to Back Up the Outlook Express Address Book and Mail Folders
Q283235 OLEXP: Error Messages Occur When Importing .wab Files
Q270670 OLEXP: How to Back Up and Recover Outlook Express Data
Q262118 OLEXP: You Cannot Import a Single .dbx Message File
For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express
Q259317 OLEXP: How to Change Your E-mail Address and Account Information
Q188854 OLEXP: How to Back Up the Address Book and Mail Folders
Q283235 OLEXP: Error Messages Occur When Importing .wab Files
Q270670 OLEXP: How to Back Up and Recover Outlook Express Data

[Flash]

ItsNoot you are awesome!!!! I just upgraded to XP and was trying to figure out how to get my old folders from OE 2000 into 0E XP. That explanation did the trick, good tip for all XP users too, nice job.

[Kermit]

....... a windows help file that helps ......

I'm stunned.... I don't know what to say... udder shock.


*kermit looks to the sky and says "armagedon?"


:D

[ItsNoot]

LOL, if it makes you a little more secure Kermit it wasn't technically in Windows help. The Help in XP has the option of connecting to the MS Knowledge Base, as you can see by the QXXXXXXX article numbers. Still though, nice feature IMO. They should have thought of that a long time ago.

[marianozz]

i hate those damn identities folders, its easier to go to tools, options, maintenance, storage folder and put your emails where u want them, then always back up that folder, and keep doin the same with every reformat...

(i have windows in spanish, so maybe i translated the menus wrong, but u get the idea.....)