EMAIL FAQ 006 - How do I move my email from one machine to another?

When using Outlook express your email is kept in one single directory. In order to move your email you need to identify this directory, move it to the new machine and then set your new machine to read that directory.  The following details how this can be done.

Please note - The following in only meant as a guide.  Screens may not appear quite as described. Flexisoft does not accept any responsibility for any loss of data as a result of performing this operation.

These instructions refer to the Windows 2000 Operating system. Other Microsoft Operating Systems may be slightly different (such as Windows 98 or Millennium Edition). The instructions assume the person setting up the email has a little knowledge of how to move and copy files.

Step 1. Identify the mail box folder on the old machine

Select Options from the Tools drop down menu
Select the Maintenance tab

Write down the full path displayed by this setting. This is where your email has been kept.

Depending on the Operating system this directory will be something like

C:\Documents and Settings\profilename\Application Data\Identities\{coded directory}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Press cancel and cancel again to return to Outlook Express.

Close Outlook Express

Run Windows File Explorer. 

(From the Start menu in Windows 2000
select Programs - Accessories - Windows Explorer)

Navigate to the directory found in step 1.  If you can not find the directory it may be hidden by the operating system - refer to step 2a. 

If you have found the directory go straight to step 3

It is possible that the directory is hidden by the operating system.

If you can not find it Select Folder Options from the Windows Explorer Tools Menu, then select the View tab

Make sure Show hidden files and folders-ON is selected

Select OK

Repeat step 2

Using Windows File Explorer copy the contents of the mail directory and its sub directories to a floppy disk.  If there is too much data to fit one disk you may need to use multiple disks. Alternatively burn a CD with this directory on it or copy the data through a network if possible.

Repeat Step 1 to identify where on the new machine it is storing the mail

Repeat Step 2 to navigate to that location

Copy the contents of the floppy disk to the directory found in step 2

Run Outlook Express and your old email should be displayed

In stead of finding where on the new machine it is storing the mail, it is a good idea to create a new directory off the C: drive where you will store your email (such as C:\Mail). This has the advantage that you will know where your email is next time you want to move it and you will know where it is if you wish to back it up.

Copy the old email to that directory then change Outlook Express to point to that directory by changing the store folder found in Step 1.

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