Copy Outlook mail

jasmin10

I'm getting my new PC this afternoon and saving all my old files onto my external hard drive. Where will I find the directory that stores my mail.?

I've been looking and can find outlook but not too sure where the files are. When I have done this is it just a case of copy and pasting them onto my new one?

GaryS

If you are using Outlook and not Outlook Express, you can download a small add-on utility from Microsoft that backs up all of your Outlook data.

This backup can then be used to restore from on the new pc, and all of your settings, folders, emails, etc will be the same.

Chippy_Minton

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/287070 tells you how to backup and transfer Outlook files.

Little_John

full outlook uses a pst file to store mail and contacts

just copy the file from your old pc and import it to your new pc.

If is stored in the following path
C:\Documents and Settings\*username*\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.pst

swap the *username* for the username you are currently logged on as. once you have that the only thing you will need to manually put back is the email account details.

If you are using outlook express it is a very similar process but finding the correct directory can be dificult as they use a totally random name for the directory. to find it I usually right click the inbox folder in OE and click properties highlight the path for the file and right click it and copy.
click start, run shift and 2 for the " right click and paste remove it back to outlook express then shift and 2 again
the path is similar to this
C:\Documents and Settings\*username*\Application Data\Identities\!!5FB4C2F9-52AB-4D50-9C62-31A9AAB82423}\outlook express
this time you need to copy the outlook express folder with everything inside.
then import it all back on to your new pc with theimport option under the file menu.