OLEXP: How to Move Mail Folders Between Two Computers that Are Running Outlook Express 5 (257499)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q257499
For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express

SUMMARY

This article describes how you can move your messages between two different computers that are running Outlook Express 5.

MORE INFORMATION

Use the following steps to move your messages between two computers that are running Outlook Express 5:
  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type *.dbx, and then click Find Now. Note the path of the file name and location of your mail folders. These are the files that end in *.dbx.

    NOTE: If you use identities, each user has their own mail folder.
  3. Copy or back up the mail folders to your backup media by using your own backup program or Microsoft Backup (MSbackup) that is included with the operating system.

    NOTE: If the size of the mail folders are less than 1.4 megabytes (MB), copy them to a disk one at a time, and then move them to the second computer.
  4. Create a folder called "Mail" (without quotation marks) on the computer that is receiving the transported mail folders.
  5. Restore or paste the mail folders into the Mail folder that you created. Note to include the Folders.dbx file when you copy from the first computer. This file is necessary for the import functions in Outlook Express.
  6. After you have moved all the mail folders, including the Folder.dbx file, to the second computer, use the import function in Outlook Express 5.
  7. Start Outlook Express 5.
  8. On the File menu, click Import, and then click Messages.
  9. Click Microsoft Outlook Express 5.
  10. Click Import mail from OE5 store directory, and then locate the mail folder that you created.
  11. When you are receive the prompt to select the mail folder that you want to import, click Import all of the Mail Folders listed. This merges e-mail messages into any of the default folders and creates all other folders that are not default on this computer.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/15/2004
Keywords:kbhowto KB257499
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