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How do I backup Yahoo's message history?

Assuming you mean Yahoo Instant Messenger (YIM), then I believe it's just the contents of a specific directory.

I'd look at: C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\profiles\name\Archive, where name is replaced by the screen name you're using. Remember that Yahoo's archiving needs to be turned on (it's off by default) and that also by default YIM will automatically delete messages after 10 days.

Article C1992 - June 7, 2004

Leo Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed. After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.

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40 Comments

is it possible to get my old yahoo conversations back??? even if i deleted them by accident:(

Not that I'm aware of, no.
Leo
17-Sep-2011

Posted by: mel at September 16, 2011 3:21 PM

I need to take backup IM form 2010 to till now. so much of times i change my OS so i lost my yahoo IM backup... i need to take IM now is that any other way to take backup my IM... any one help me please...

Posted by: sameer at September 20, 2011 12:02 AM

Hi Leo,
How can I save my yahoo email on PC (by outlook), in free yahoo account. I use ypops but it doesn't work good.

Posted by: Peyman at October 21, 2011 9:40 PM

@Peyman
For $20 a year you can get Yahoo Plus and have full IMAP or POP3 access to your account, or you can switch to GMail which gives you these capabilities for free.

Posted by: Mark J at October 22, 2011 1:16 AM

I need to take backup IM form 2009 to till now. so much of times i change my OS so i lost my yahoo IM backup... i need to take IM now is that any other way to take backup my IM... any one help me please...

Posted by: riyaz at November 27, 2011 9:54 AM
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