Outlook Express question...

[Nick]

I'm gonna do a full re-install of XP Pro from a re-formatted hard drive. What's the easiest way to save all my e-mails? I've saved my address book, but I want to save my e-mails too as I have a fair bit on-going via e-mail...

If I try to export it only lets me export to Exchange, which is no good to me.

Can I just browse to the folder, save that and then slap it back in once I've re-installed?

[malfunction]

Basically you can find where your dbx files are, copy them somewhere else (another HDD or burn em onto CD) and then re-import them. You should be able to find them in:

C:\Documents and Settings\Your windows username\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{some-strange-character-string}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

If you use multiple identities they'll be a separate folder for each in the identities folder.

When you want to put them back you can re-import them by using:

File... Import... Messages then selecting "Outlook Express 6", Next, "Import mail from an OE6 store directory", then Browse to find the dbx files and import them.

[Nick]

Cheers, I wondered if that would work... ok... giving it a go now... see you all on the other side of a clean install!

[geezerone]

Old post I know BUT ... I copied backed-up dbx files over but didn't show up until I tried to

File... Import... Messages then selecting "Outlook Express 6", Next, "Import mail from an OE6 store directory", then Browse to find the dbx files and import them

As a result I am getting multiple messages in the Outlook Express folders as I have a "name.dbx" and a name (1).dbx" for each folder, i.e. duplicates.

How do I remove these without losing messages?

TIA

Update: Solved this by exporting (saving) emails in my current 'identitiy' folder - thus creating just one of each folder (not the (1) duplicates). Then deleted manually the all dbx files incl duplicates 'folder (1).dbx'. After this I imported (as above quote) all folders and voila all now looking more sensible with just one dbx file for each folder!

Hope this helps someone out there.

[Nick]

The other thing you can do is download Plaxo and use the duplicate removal tool in there... and it keeps all your contacts up to date too.