OL2002: Imported Rules Are Disabled or Lost (278179)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
This article was previously published under Q278179

SYMPTOMS

If you import Microsoft Outlook Express rules while you are working in offline mode and are using Offline folders, the rules are not enabled in the Outlook Rules Wizard the next time that you work online, or the rules may be missing. Additionally, you may receive the following error message if you try to access the Outlook Rules Wizard while you are working offline:
You are currently working offline. To use this command you must restart Outlook and choose to connect to the Exchange server.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the rules that you imported while you were working offline with offline folders (.ost) files had the Microsoft Exchange Server service enabled.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, quit Outlook 2002, connect to the Microsoft Exchange Server, and then import the rules from Outlook Express again. Use the following steps to import rules from Outlook Express:
  1. Click Import and Export on the File menu in Outlook 2002.
  2. Click to select Import Internet Mail and Addresses, and then click Next.
  3. Click Outlook Express 4.x, 5, click to select the Import Rules check box, and then click Finish.
  4. In the Import Summary dialog box, click OK. If the import is successful, the following message appears:

    Rules and Filters were successfully imported. To enable and edit these rules please launch the Rules Wizard.

  5. Click Rules Wizard on the Tools menu in Outlook 2002.
  6. Click to select the check box that is next to each rule that you want to enable.
  7. Click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

291608 How to Use the Rules Wizard in Outlook

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/27/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB278179
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