OLEXP: Cannot Import Outlook Express 4 Messages in Outlook Express 5 (231796)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q231796
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

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

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to import mail messages from Outlook Express 4 into Outlook Express 5, the option to import messages may not be available.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if Outlook Express 4 is not installed when Outlook Express 5 is installed.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To import Outlook Express 4 messages into Outlook Express 5:
  1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type *.mbx, *.dbx.
  3. In the Look In box, click the appropriate drive, and then click Find Now.
  4. Note the location of the Outlook Express 5 .dbx file(s). Copy all the .mbx files to this location (typically C:\Windows\Application Data\Identities\clsID\Microsoft\Outlook Express if there are multiple users of the computer. If there are not multiple users, the location is typically C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express).

    For information about copying files, click Start, click Help, type copying files on the Index tab, and then double-click the "Copying files, folders" topic.
  5. Use Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) to locate all ConvertedToDBX values in the following registry key

    HKEY_Current_user\Identities\{ class-id }\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0

    where class-id is a long string such as {4AE4BF00-C053-11D3-821D-00C04FBD0C45}.

    NOTE: There may be several class-id keys under the Identities key. You need to check each key for the ConvertedToDBX value, and then change the data value for each ConvertedToDBX value from 1 to 0.

  6. Restart the computer.
  7. Start Outlook Express 5. Outlook Express should convert and import the Outlook Express 4 files.
For additional information about other possible solutions to this problem, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

264872 OLEXP: "No Messages Found" Error Message When You Import Outlook Express 4 Messages into Outlook Express 5

MORE INFORMATION

The Converter program checks the location defined in the registry for the mail store. If it does not find files from other versions of Outlook Express, it toggles a registry key that disables the Converter program.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/13/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB231796
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