Backing up Outlook Express e-mail

[Catch'a Star]

Does anybody have a step by step procedure for backing up and restoring Outlook Express e-mail messages. I am amazed that the bright boys and girls at Microsoft have not incorporated a simple procedure for this. I know it involves backing up the *.mbx & *.ibx files but restoring them has not been so successful. Any help would be appreciated.

[ironside]

Hello Catch'a Star
Welcome to cybertechhelp
no easy way but just copy the files out of outlook and then save them,then when you need to restore them just put them back into the folders thats in your outlook folders.
If you need more info I will check back later.

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[PaNtHoR]

:confused: Hi guys. I'm just new to this, so I'll try to help anyone I can as I also want some help.
Well, talking about the Outlook backup, I learned that we can sve the *.dbx files in the ApplicationData\Identities folder and the restore them to the new folder (after you format/install) that it would just work perfectly. Unfortunately it just doesn't seem to work, hehe. :mad: :(
With a lot of trying I could get my InBox restored, but the other 20 folders I had are now, somewhat lost. I'd like some help with that, I'd appreciate. I'll be invisible on ICQ, but ask my authorization saying you're from here and you'll be accepted. Tks! And sorry for my english, I'm not american, something may be wrong.

[Steven.Bentley]

Welcome to CTH :)

Common misunderstanding: Outlook Express is not just a cut down Outlook - Outlook Express is a POP3 and IMAP client, Outlook is the Exchange Server client, and the way they work is entirely different.

So before we go any further, can you just confirm if you're using Outlook or Outlook Express, and what kind of server it it, be in POP3, IMAP or Exchange?

[PaNtHoR]

:rolleyes: Well, my friend, I've used Outlook Express in both cases, and sorry for missing this detail. I also heard something about the pst, idx, mbx files that I haven't ever heard. Some say they are necessary... some say don't... well, the fact is i didn't back 'em up, hehehe... I'm thinking of a new possibility. I'm restoring my ghost image of W98, trying to restore the emails there, then I'll backup the pst, idx, mbx and every other files i can... the i restore my w2k with another ghost and try to use it... what's your oppinion? I'll check again tomorrow. Tks for now! g'nite :)

[Steven.Bentley]

If you didn't back them up, I think that the Ghost method is probably going to be the only option ;)

[PaNtHoR]

:mad: Hi again. News! The fact is: IT JUST DOESN'T WORK! This piece of [edit] just doesn't seem to read the files. I've tried to restore my w98 ghost, and then load the emails so I could backup everything i hadn't, but then the w98 didn't restore too. Now, I'm just lost. I've got no more ideas. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP! :confused:

[ 12 October 2001: Message edited by: Steven.Bentley ]

[Steven.Bentley]

Have you set Outlook Express to leave the mail on the server or to delete them?

Unless I've misunderstood you you're saying that you've formatted the machine and didn't hav ea backup of the mail, in which case you're pretty much stuffed unless they're still on the server :(

[degsy]

Remember that the Identity folder will have a new name if you have reinstalled.


I usually copy the full profiles folder, but here are programs for backing up OE: http://download.cnet.com/downloads/1,10150,0-10001-103-0-1-7,00.html?tag=srch&qt=outlook+express+backup&cn=&ca=10001

[Train]

How M$ says to save OE stuff (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q270/6/70.ASP)

also covers importing.