Dad bought Mom a new PC for Mother's Day. He just called me, his plan is to transfer all her old stuff over w/out her knowing, and then Sunday he can give her the new one all ready to go. He's been using a 4GB flash drive to transfer everything, and so far, so good, until he got to Outlook. Apparently my mother has HUNDREDS of saved emails, most of them quilting patterns. He can't figure out how to transfer them over, can't find an "export" option or anything like that. He was able to export her address book, but not the saved email. Thing is, I've never once used Outlook, so it's not like I'm all that helpful, YET HE KEEPS CALLING ME AS IF I KNOW! Best I could do was refer him to this site http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270670 but I think he's still in over his head. Any suggestions?
Saved emails in Outlook
Submitted by LadyCerridwen48 on May 9, 2008 - 10:33am.
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Re: Saved emails in Outlook
May 10, 2008 - 6:51pm
I'm using a previous version of outlook (2002) but this should still work.
- Copy/save the pst file from the old computer to the new computer via the memory stick. You can find the location of the pst file by doing properties on the folder and the advanced tab ("Outlook Today" on my version). When you copy it to the new computer and you want it to be the delivery location for new messages, make sure you have the right name and location by using properties on the new computer.
- For "backup" or "copies" of messages, try the Archive function. I usually make a blank Archive file by putting in a date that is before any of my messages. Then you can either move or copy folders, or move individual messages. You will still have access to these messages via the archive folder as long as it is in your Outlook folder list.
- If you somehow loose the archive file from the folder list do or want to rename it by removing it from the folder list and need to re-add it:
Tools - Options - mail setup tab - data files - open folder - go to the directory where you saved the archive file and add it. It will be put in the folder list of outlook for access.
- Other tips: don't let the pst file get bigger than 1G, otherwise you may have problems. If you delete a lot of messages, "compact" the pst file. Tools - options - mail setup tab - data files - highlight/click the pst file to compact - settings - compact now. In windows explorer you can see the file size get smaller if you had a large pst file and deleted a lot of messages or large attachments.
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Re: Saved emails in Outlook
May 9, 2008 - 2:28pm
Outlook Express or Outlook? They're different.
Outlook Express keeps its messages in the "Store Folder". To learn its location go to OE>Tools>Options>Maintenance>Store Folder. Navigate to this folder and copy it. You may have to "unhide" it by going to My Computer>Tools>Folder Options>View>Show Hidden Files. Copy and Paste the Store Folder... you just backed up your messages. You can Import messages from this copied folder: File>Import>Messages.
Additionally, you can copy email accounts in OE without having to reconfigure by going to Tools>Acccounts and Export each account as an .iaf file. On the new system, go to the same screen and Import the account(s).
Outlook keeps its messages in the Personal Folder File. File>Import and Export>Export to a File>Personal Folder File (pst). On the next screen you choose what to export. Most people choose the whole thing (Personal Folders) - be sure "include subfolders" is checked. This also includes your Contacts List (address book). Click the Browse button to tell it where to save your pst (backup) file.
To restore from a backup, do the opposite. File>Import and Export>Import from Another Program or File>Personal Folder File pst, then navigate to your pst (backup) file.
Clear as mud? haha!
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Re: Saved emails in Outlook
May 13, 2008 - 6:58am
Stevie, thank you!!! I copied and pasted your post and emailed it to Dad, and I honestly expected a phone call, but it never came. So, I called him yesterday just to make sure, and he said everything was smooth sailing.
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Re: Saved emails in Outlook
May 9, 2008 - 11:43am
I was trying to do the same thing. My Stepmom has saved hundreds of emails and she wanted me to try to back them up on an external hard drive. I'm not even sure I did it right. My thought was that she need to save any attachments she really wants as independent files and delete all these useless emails. But that would probably take forever...
I was able to go into whatever Program Folder or Windows Folder and save what I thought was the email files, I dunno. So I'm bumping your topic to see if someone more useful can give us both an answer!
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Re: Saved emails in Outlook
May 9, 2008 - 11:51am
I think you got a little further than he did, I don't think he can find the folder under Program Files. He managed the address book without assistance, so I dunno...
"How do you know I'm mad?" asked Alice.
"You must be", said the cat, "Or you wouldn't have come here"
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