[Kenster102.5]

I have a computer with all these MS Outlook 2003 messages on them, but on my new Vista laptop, I have Windows Mail, is there anyway I can convert these messages to be able to open them in Windows Mail, is there any third party software I can use?
Thanks
Ken

[EAFiedler]

Hi Kenster102.5

Since Windows Mail uses the .eml format, you would need a third party program that can convert the .pst file messages to the .eml format, without the need for Outlook to be installed (if copying the .pst file to the laptop and converting it there).

A Google search for: convert .pst file to .eml files:
http://www.google.com/search?source=...=Google+Search
Aid4Mail requires Outlook be installed, Outlook Conversion does not specify that Outlook is required to be installed.
Both of these programs are not free, starting at $49.00.


If the computer containing Outlook 2003 is also running Windows XP, you could have Outlook Express Import the messages, from Outlook 2003, from there extract the messages as .eml files from the .dbx files.

[Kenster102.5]

Is there a good tutorial to do that?

[EAFiedler]

Import messages from Outlook 2003 into Outlook Express:

In Outlook Express,
File > Import > Messages
Select: Microsoft Outlook
Click: Next
Select the Outlook Profile from which you are Importing messages.

OK > Next
The Import should begin immediately.

When the Import is complete, click the Finish button.

Outlook Express has now stored your messages in .dbx files, you will take these .dbx files and copy them to the Computer using Windows Vista.

First locate the directory where Outlook Express stores its .dbx files, this is also referred to as the Message Store.
In Outlook Express:
Tools > Options > Maintenance tab > Store Folder button
Copy the directory location that appears in the Store Location window.

The directory may look similar to this:
C:\Documents and Settings\User Account Name\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{Long Number}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Open Windows Explorer or My Computer and paste the directory in the Address Bar and press Enter to quickly move to that directory.

You should now be in the directory containing the .dbx files for the current Identity for Outlook Express.
Close Outlook Express then Copy the contents of the folder containing the .dbx files.
Or copy the folder itself that contains the .dbx files. - Easier.

Copy the folder containing the .dbx files to the computer running Windows Vista.

Open Windows Mail.
File > Import > Messages
Select: Microsoft Outlook Express 6
Click: Next
If not selected, select: Import mail from an OE6 store directory
OK
Click the Browse button and browse to the location where you copied the folder containing the .dbx files and select the folder
Click: Select Folder

The Location of Messages window should reappear with the correct directory location.
Double check the directory location and verify the path does not contain duplicates, if it does, click the Browse button again then press the Select Folder button again to force the Import to see the correct directory location.

Next > Next

The Import should begin immediately.
When the Import is complete, click the Finish button and you are done!

This procedure may take a few tries, if you have any questions, please ask.


A few links on Migrating Outlook Express messages to Windows Mail:
Scroll down to: Importing from Outlook Express
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#oe2wm

http://www.vista4beginners.com/Migra...o-Windows-Mail

http://www.google.com/search?source=...=Google+Search



Let us know how if that works for you or not.

[Kenster102.5]

So I exported a folder called "Desktop MMK" in Outlook Express, and it exported in to "Desktop MMK.dbx" I then copied the .dbx file to a USB flash drive, and transfered it to a folder on the Vista machine, I then tried to import it, but even when the .dbx was in its own file, it could not see it, and I even removed hide hidden files and it didn't work. What am I doing wrong. I did it a second time by taking the whole Outlook Express store folder and it still couldn't find anything.
So what am I doing wrong?

[EAFiedler]

After you Exported the messages from Outlook 2003 into Outlook Express, could you see the messages in Outlook Express?


When Importing the messages into Windows Mail, did you verify the path, to the folder containing the .dbx files, was correct?
Did the path contain a duplicate folder?

[Kenster102.5]

I was able to fix it, I just had to un-check Read Only on the file right when I was going to import.

[EAFiedler]

Good job!

Thanks for posting back with your results.