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How do I move my Outlook Express folders to my new machine?

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This is what I used to recover my 98SE email back into my XP.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;313055

Posted by: Tom at September 3, 2005 7:08 PM

When I tried to copy my own OE files to a new PC two years ago, I seem to remember having to set up new folders in OE on my new PC and it all got a bit messy.

I am about to help a friend export all his messages to a new PC. Does the process you cover automatically set up the new folders?

Posted by: Stephen Lee at October 14, 2005 12:58 AM

I did exactly as instructed, but when I try to Import and get to the 'Browse' stage, I go to the folder where my .dbx files are and it gives me an error message that says "No messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has the required files open. Please select another folder or try closing applications that may have files open." I don't have anything else open and I have tried storing the files in numerous locations, thinking Express was using them. Any ideas? I have about pulled my hair out on this one! THANKS!!

Posted by: Dee at October 15, 2005 4:39 PM

I got the following error message: "No messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has the required files open" when I tried to import folders into OE6. I found and tried the following solution and then it worked OK:
Ensure the Folders.dbx file is present. The import process may not work without a valid Folders.dbx file.

Posted by: Gene at October 19, 2005 5:58 AM

Hi Leo,
I have the same problem as Julie, who posted on Sept 27. Her posting is as follows- "when i try to import my address book after following your directions i get this error message....an error occurred in the import process. the import process could not be completed.

and when i try to import my messages i get this error message....no messages can be found in thi8s folder or another application is running that has the required files open. please select another folder or try closing applications that may have files open."

Thanks for your help in advance!

Posted by: Amy at October 23, 2005 7:19 AM

Amy and Dee, it seems like you have to copy your files to a writable media or hard drive before you try to import or else the import will fail with the somewhat cryptic message "No messages can be found..". (The same applies to .wab-files if you want to import addresses)

Hope this helps, it worked for me,

T

Posted by: Tobias at October 23, 2005 4:25 PM

I found this link and followed the instructions per the accepted answer (5 comments down). The only thing different that I did, was move a file to the newly created folder, then move it back to its original location, since for some reason it didn't create a .dbx file when I created the folder.

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Applications/MS_Office/Outlook/Q_21241268.html

so you went inside OE and created a sub-folder under inbox called dave or Dave , right ?
Once you had done that, close OE and go to that path and you should see dave.dbx or Dave.dbx .. Do you see that ?

now when you copy your Dave.dbx from CD , copy it from to a location on your XP machine(not in this path,, some other location).. right-click , go to properties and make sure it is not read-only. now copy it to this path.. Does it replace the file already there .. if yes, make sure after replacing that the file size of it is correct.

now open OE and check if the email messages are there

Posted by: Richard at October 26, 2005 8:14 AM

Outlook has an import function: File menu -> Import and Export.

Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at October 27, 2005 8:51 AM

Leo: First, thanks for the valuable service you provide!

Seen several posts on this problem but no answers: Most Address Books are organized into folders and sub-folders. After an Export/Import, the folder structure is lost. All addresses are consolidated into one folder. Any way to retain the original multi-folder structure?

Posted by: Bert at November 2, 2005 9:10 AM

I know it's a common question, and I'm not aware of any solution. Sorry.

Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at November 2, 2005 11:38 AM
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