Backup Outlook Express - Comments Page 1

If you get the chance, could you add a little something about how one would *restore* the folders, in case of a crash? If users copied the folders into place on their hard drives, would they need to set something in OE describing where the folders were located?

EDITOR'S NOTE: To restore from backup, you'll need to use the File+Import function. When Outlook Express asks where to import from, just point it to the folder on your backup CD.

This is the system I use. It utilizes the File and Transfer Wizard that is part of XP.

http://www.iopus.com/guides/free-oe-backup.htm

It is good idea to make a Store Folder somewhere e.g. in C:\My Documents\Mail instead of confusing default location. Even better idea is to make it on other than system disk C:, for example D:\Mail. Then you'll be safe when your windows crashes and you have to reinstall it cleanly.

There's also a commercial program that backs up Outlook Express. Express Assist (now in version 8) has been around for years and I've used it since it first came out. It has many great features and is easy to use. Details are at http://www.ajsystems.com/ea.html

I like e-Backup to backup and restore everything in Outlook Express. I also use it to transfer an Outlook Express setup to include settings, e-mails and address book from one PC to another.

I too use e-Backup. I just ran into a problem setting up a new system - it wouldn't work with an AMD 64 system.

A much simpler solution is to download this tiny free (19kb) program,DBExract. It is a gem, and whats more,converts it all to plain text.Go here:- http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download.asp?fid=23383&fileidx=1#

I have also used the OE backup program found here http://www.oehelp.com/oebackup/default.aspx. It will back up all the mail folders, accounts and address book into one folder that can then easily be burned to a CD/DVD etc.

Seems like a much more difficult way than i do it on both win98 and winXP. I create a new folder on the desktop. Open it and make it half size.Move it to one side. Open the mail folder you want. inbox or drafts or personal folders. Make it half size and move it to the other side. Highlight the letters you wish to save.. you can do them all at once if you like by clicking top one then shift/click bottom one. Now left mouse click and hold and DRAG the whole thing to the new folder.(or copy/paste.) The originals remain in the mailbox. Name your new folder then burn the folder to disk.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Interesting... you CAN drag messages from Outlook to a folder on your hard drive. But you CANNOT drag and drop into the CD Drive folder.

I create an efolder within Outlook Express dated for a particular month, in NAME-YYMM where name is some name to help me remember what the efolder contains, copy and or move the messages I want to keep into that efolder. Then after quitting OE, I navigate to the identity folder, and drag and drop the entire efolder onto a CDRW along with the folders efolder. Outlook retains the efolder structure and assorted stuff it needs to access that folder should I ever have a need to access an email from that efolder.

All very interesting but has anyone figured out how to save all the "rules", "blocked senders" etc. in OE??

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, but you have to muck around in the Windows system registry. See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/276511/

Very useful as I could not get info on putting all the emails on a CD. I tried to reimport into outlook express from my desktop file backup and ended up doubling everything!!!

I had to delete all the doubles. Not a great experience.

So, I guess once you have backed it up do not try to reimport unless you have had a crash. I liked all the comments on this page that was recommended to me by Microsoft.

Thanks a lot everyone... my problem is how do I retrieve the backup data (emails, folders) I burned on the CD? I mean, retrieve when I open Outlook Express on a different computer?

I found the detailed answer to my own question: Click on the File menu. From the File > Import > Messages

In the wizard, select Microsoft Outlook Express 6 from the list, then click Next. Select "Import mail from and OE6 store directory". Then click OK. You now need to select the folder where you saved your Outlook Express backups. So click the Browse button. Select the folder on your CD or hard drive.

Click the OK button when you have located your backup Outlook Express folder. Click Next when you are return to the Location of Messages step of the Wizard. You can select either individual folder to import, or import all the folder that the Wizard finds in your backup folder. Click the Next button to continue. Outlook Express goes to work, importing your backup DBX folders.

When your emails have been imported, click the Finish button on the final step of the Wizard. Works perfect!!!

I took note that Michael above doubled everything while importing. So, to test, I created a new identity in Outlook Express and backed up there - similar to backing up on a different machine!

I have a few meassages that i would only like to save. Would it be possible only to save the messages that i received like from june 05 upto june 30? Could i possibly just save those selected messages and not the other mesages... please if u know how to..message me at rjay@direct3.com

I used to do backup manually Outlook Express by saving the .dbx files, until it became too burdensome. Then I looked at the software products designed for this, and now I use Outlook Express Backup Genie .

I choused it over other because it can work with both MS Outlook and Outlook Express, and does automatic regular backups

Alicia

There is a simple way to copy Outlook to provide a backup elsewhere on a hard drive or to another computer. First, find the location of your Outlook "office data file". Mine is at: C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Copy the folder or individual files and then paste either in a separate location for backup or paste and replace in the appropriate location on your other computer. I do this to maintain parallel backups on my 2 computers and Outlook opens without problem.

when I copy Outlook as you recommended to a CD, and open it I cannot look at these files because. "windows has to know what program created this file," or something like that. Now I do not know what to do.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You have to IMPORT them to Outlook to view them. To restore from backup, you'll need to use the File+Import function. When Outlook Express asks where to import from, just point it to the folder on your backup CD.

have followed instructions for importing all my OE dbx files from my old computer but they don't show up in OE. The files are in the correct location. Any ideas? Thanks

EDITOR'S NOTE: You might try asking on Ask-Leo.com, he's written a lot on Outlook.

When I try to file+import I get a box of options which does not include the CD drive. If I select Microsoft Outlook Express 6 -the only sensible option, I then get an opportunity to select the CD drive, but not a folder. I then get a message that 'no messages can be found in this folder' despite the fact that all are stored on the disc (DVD) as to your instructions. Any advice Thanks

EDITOR'S NOTE: Make sure you select the "Import mail from an OE6 store directory" option.