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

RickJ · #1 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?

RickJ · Apr 27, 2007, 09:25 AM

...any of you who have gone from XP to Vista...were you able to somehow get your email folders imported into Windows Mail?

JAF · May 8, 2007, 09:33 PM

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.

vijisalapur · May 10, 2007, 08:39 AM

smart answer...

itruemper · May 13, 2007, 10:04 AM

For me, I had to make sure the Read Only box was CHECKED before it would import the messages.

Ingrid

okcomputer · Jun 1, 2007, 03:54 PM

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.

Thanks, after getting C:\Documents\OEMail\OEMail (why, I ask?!), I had to do as you said and click the browse button a second time to fix the folder address to get C:\Documents\OEMail - I couldn't edit the path in the normal by simply backspacing and retyping. Vista is just plain nuts. Unbelievable.

georged22 · Jun 6, 2007, 01:54 AM

Jaf
Thanks for the info that was great and easy to follow even for a basic user like me !

I had the same prob with vista doubling up the path/path thing but once that sorted as you advised , job done

many thanks again

George

benn11 · Jun 6, 2007, 03:27 AM

If you are doing a vista/office upgrade this procedure should be done automatically, but if i am wrong correct me...

hasse60 · Jul 19, 2007, 05:33 AM

Rick,
with your advice everything seemed to work fine - the program counted down the importing of all my emails. But - in Windows Mail now three new catalogs have appeared, all of them empty!
What did I do wrong?

pilch73 · Oct 14, 2007, 12:12 PM

don't know of a solution as the above didn't work for me lol

but found a work around program to view dbx files which helped me out

OE Reader download and review - view Outlook Express .dbx files from SnapFiles



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