The Net Gate

Migrate Microsoft Outlook Express 6 to Windows Mail Live

Microsoft Outlook Express (OE) is end-of-life and replaced by Windows Mail Live (WML). Moreover, Outlook Express version 6 was bundled with Internet Explorer and could not be (re-)installed as a standalone application. Hence, the need to say goodbye to this Mail Client and welcome the new version, renamed to Windows Live Mail. This freeware Mail Client can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center.

Migration of your messages, address book and mail accounts from OE to WML should work fine, if you upgrade on the same computer with the same Windows version installed. However, moving these data from one computer to another may be challenging. Here are some steps that you can follow to make the transition successful:

1 backup all your Outlook Express data

Follow the steps explained in my ‘Microsoft Outlook Express – Housekeeping’ post.

2 install Windows Live Mail on the source system

Indeed, install Windows Live Mail first on your ‘old’ system to migrate the messages. Once Windows Live Mail is installed, you can import the OE folders and export them into a WML format. The conversion of these data is worthwhile, since WML will create a single file for each message.

3 install Windows Live Mail on the target system

Install Windows Live Mail on your ‘new’ system.
Import the Outlook Express internet account files (‘.aif’ file) and address book (‘.wab’ file).
Import the WML formatted messages from your ‘old’ system. After the import process, you will find your folders and messages under ‘Storage Folders’, ‘Imported Folder’, ‘Local Folders’

Now you’re done and your new system uses the new Microsoft Mail Client, with your mail account(s) and access to your (old) messages and address book.

Outlook Express

Attachments cannot be opened !

For security reasons, some attachments are made inaccessible by Outlook Express.

‘Outlook Express heeft de volgende onveilige bestanden ontoegankelijk gemaakt’

Just forward the message (doorsturen) and you will be able to open or save the attached files.

Make sure you have your Anti-Virus scanner enabled before you open any file!

Restore Folders and Contacts Views

Volg deze stappen om Vensters voor Mappen en Contactpersonen herstellen:

1. Onder het menu ‘Beeld‘, kies voor ‘Indeling‘.

2. Vervolgens selecteer welke vensters moeten getoond worden:

• Contactpersonen
• Mappenbalk
• Mappenlijst
• Statusbalk
• Werkbalk

klik in het vakje links van de opties (zie afbeelding hieronder):

3. Vervolgens klik ‘OK‘ om de selectie te bevestigen.

Microsoft Outlook Express – Import an Internet Account !

Follow these two steps to import the Outlook Express (OE) Account Settings.

1. Select in the Tools, Internet Accounts menu the file to import.

Locate the folder in which the Internet Account Settings File is stored.

2. Adapt the Server settings to the ISP configuration.

Edit the Internet Account Properties and check the Server Settings.

Follow these five steps to migrate the Outlook Express (OE) files to the folder of your choice.

Read also the instructions on the Microsoft Support site.

Outlook users can use the Backup Tool from Microsoft.

1. create a folder on your drive

First create a folder to store the OE files.

2. locate the folder on your drive

Then start OE and select Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Location: enter here the folder (see picture below).

3. move the files to the folder on your drive

Close (Exit) the OE application. At next startup of OE, the files will automatically be copied to the new location.

4. Backup your Account Settings

Export the Account Settings to the selected folder for future reference and backup.

Start OE and select Tools, Accounts, Email, Export: enter here the folder (see picture below).

5. Backup your Address Book

Export your Address Book to the selected folder for future reference and backup.

Start OE and select Address Book, File, Export: enter here the folder (see picture below).