Import .dbx files (Outlook Express) to Windows Mail (Vista)

RickJ · Apr 26, 2007, 03:31 AM

Everywhere I look I see the answer is no - I cannot do the above...but there's GOT to be a way...doesn't there?

Any suggestions for a workaround to this?

robe165 · Feb 21, 2009, 04:27 AM

Thx for reply. However, I now have 2 frustrating problems. I've got all my email folders from old crashed laptop (XP) in a folder ("old emails") under My Docs on new laptop (Vista HP). When I try to import, I get to final stage where I get message"No messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has the required files open". Both statements are untrue - I know the files are there, because I can open them with Notepad (although there is a lot of Notepad gobbledygook in amongst the words). HELP!! What am I doing wrong?
Secondly, when I try to open the files in the "old emails" folder using Windows Mail, I simply get taken straight to the current inbox on Windows Mail.
I would be extremely grateful for any assistance - this is driving me nuts!!
Many thx - robe165

rsrandy · Apr 20, 2009, 03:48 PM

Hi,

I had the same problem as many of you are. I copied my DBX files and pasted them into a folder on the desktop of my new Vista machine. When I tried to import the messages I got a message that said "no files found".

Nest, I put the Files in a folder on the C:\ (root drive) and I got the same results.

Here's how I fixed it. I pasted the DBX files directly to the C:\ drive (did not put them in a folder). I then chose the C:\ drive to import the messages from and it did so flawlessly, 880 megs worth.

I spent hours researching this and I wanted to share this. There seems to be a problem with Vista and the import program where it sees double directories. Should be C:\ old emails and instead it sees C:\ old emails\old emails.

rsrandy

thassra · Apr 20, 2009, 11:37 PM

I need a recent outlook, is possible to have one without spend money? Work with emails.
There are something new good too?
I have windows XP
thankyou

malobarr · May 21, 2009, 09:52 PM

I've tried putting the dbx files in multiple directories. I tried the root c:\, I tried in the documents directory, I tried in documents\OEemail, I tried several directories on a flash drive, I made sure they were not read only, I tried making it read only. I made sure the path was correct and still I get "No messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has the required files open". Any ideas would be much appreciated.

lizmc · Jul 31, 2009, 09:22 AM

I tried doing it this way but it wasn't working, it couldn't "locate" the folder.
But I made a backup disc and made that my original source and it worked flawlessly.
So I guess just burning a cd with the dbx files and choosing the cd folder will work.

lizmc · Jul 31, 2009, 09:22 AM

I tried doing it this way but it wasn't working, it couldn't "locate" the folder.
But I made a backup disc and made that my original source and it worked flawlessly.
So I guess just burning a cd with the dbx files and choosing the cd folder will work.

lizmc · Jul 31, 2009, 09:22 AM

I tried doing it this way but it wasn't working, it couldn't "locate" the folder.
But I made a backup disc and made that my original source and it worked flawlessly.
So I guess just burning a cd with the dbx files and choosing the cd folder will work.

lizmc · Jul 31, 2009, 09:22 AM

I tried doing it this way but it wasn't working, it couldn't "locate" the folder.
But I made a backup disc and made that my original source and it worked flawlessly.
So I guess just burning a cd with the dbx files and choosing the cd folder will work.

lizmc · Jul 31, 2009, 09:23 AM

malobarr, i had the same issue. try burning a cd with all the dbx files, then click on "browse", and select the DVD/CD drive. It automatically read the files and it also allowed me to select the folders I wanted to import.

angel dust · Aug 23, 2009, 03:50 PM

I just want to say that not only did this work for Vista, but it restored my corrupted OE files on my XP machine that nothing else could restore! Virtual drinks on me!
many thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAF

Rick,

I had the same issue. I found the answer and got mine imported. Follow the following steps:

1. Create a directory under the current user's Documents, such as Documents\OEMail. This directory needs to be within the user's space, such as under Documents, in order to prevent possible access permissions problems.
2. Copy all the dbx files from one Outlook Express Identity into this directory, ensuring that folders.dbx is included.
3. Go to Edit | Select all in Windows Explorer and select all the dbx files. Then right click on the selection and choose Properties and ensure that the read only attribute of the files is unchecked.
4. In Windows Mail go to File | Import Messages and choose Outlook Express 6 format and choose to import from a directory.
5. Then use the Browse button to browse to the directory of dbx files. Make sure that when you set the directory that what is listed in the path is correct (NOTE: Vista can put the wrong path in here sometimes, so instead of c:\mypath it puts c:\mypath\mypath, so check the path to verify that it is correct, and if it is not correct then fix it by clicking the Browse button a second time and then leave the selection blank and clicking Okay.).
6. Then select the files from which you wish to import messages and click Import.

This procedure worked for me. If you have difficulties, go to backup for clarification. That is where I found this procedure that worked for me.



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