Outlook Express mail files and Outlook contacts - how to move them ?

[Grimmbro]

This is a two fold question regarding Outlook and Outlook Express. I am trying to move my Outlook Express e-mail folders and mail from one hard drive to another. Also, I am trying to do the same with Outlook contacts files. So far, no luck.

Here's the scenario:

I have two hard drives - one new one (drive C) on which I have loaded Outlook Express and Outlook. The other is my old hard drive (now known as drive D) from a previous PC. I am attempting to move data from the D drive to the C drive.

With the Express mail files I have run across something UNBELIEVABLE, for me anyways. I searched for the location of .dbx files and I have found them on the D drive. the search results say that the path is Documents and settings\"user name"\Local Settings\Application Data\..... The Unbelievable part of this is that when I try to follow this path there is no folder called Local Settings on my D drive. Has anyone ever run across this issue before and why can't I see this folder ?

With Outlook, I can't seem to locate my contacts files, supposedly the .pst files. When I do a search, it only finds the installation of Outlook on my D drive identified as a .pst file but when I try to open it I get a warning message about opening this folder/file.

Hope someone can help with this because I am stumped.

[mojo]

In Outlook Express go to tools, options, maintenance tab. Click on store folder. This will tell you the path where outlook express is storing its dbx files, much better than global searching. Copy the path and just paste it into any explorer window.

To find out where the data files are for outlook, go to tools, options, mail setup tab, and click on data files.

The reason there is no local settings folder is because it is hidden by default. In any windows explorer window go to tools, folder options, view tab. About 10 entries down is a section for hidden files and folders. Choose show hidden files and folders instead of hide, then click ok and you should be able to find the folder now.

[glc]

Outlook stores everything in a single .pst file - contacts, mail folders, calendar, etc.

[Grimmbro]

Thanks Mojo and PLC. I was able to succesfully move all my Outlook Express e-mail and folders.

HOWEVER, I would appreciate additional steps for the question about Outlook data. I followed Mojo's steps and when I reached the end I still was not sure what to do. Can you please add the remaining steps that would allow me to move/import all my Oulook data from my old hard drive (now the D drive) to the C drive ?

[mojo]

My initial instructions tell you where the data is, after that you have to move the data and point outlook to look there for data. It's in the same dialog, add data file I think. I remember that it can be frustrating, so just poke around a bit and you will eventually get it right.

[Grimmbro]

Hello Mojo, thanks for your help again but I am still stumped.

Your note previously states "To find out where the data files are for outlook, go to tools, options, mail setup tab, and click on data files."

When I do this I am taken to the entire D drive and all it's folders and none of them show up as having .pst files. I am wondering if this is because Outlook seems to load itself onto the desktop and not in program files where most other apps go. In either case I am still no farther along than before. Hope you may have some other tricks up your sleeve. Thanks

[Ray_S]

Have you got the hidden files showing? If you have the path is D:\documents and settings\user name\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook\outlook.pst. Hope that helps.


Ray


Edit. I might be teaching my grandma how to suck eggs, but to show hidden file open explorer click on tools/folder options and enable show hidden files

Ray

[Grimmbro]

Thanks Ray, but no go. (I already had the setting "show hidden files and folders". That's how I was able to recover my Outlook EXPRESS e-mail) .
When I follow the path you outlined, and I reach Outlook in the left side folders tree display, I only see one file under Outlook and it is titled "extend". What does that mean ? Getting really frustrated.

[Panama Red]

Maybe these will help.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196492

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270670

[Grimmbro]

Thanks to all you guys for the tips and suggestions -- I am all set now !!