How to Import Outlook Express Files to Win7?

[Mr.Mike]

I am asking for help on how to export Outlook Express files and folders to a Windows 7 machine with Windows Mail (Not Windows Live Mail).

I have tried to import addresses and messages from Outlook Express by first downloading an application on my wife's new Windows 7 machine called Ownership.reg. The program edits Windows 7 registry allowing a computer owner/administrator/user to "take control" or "ownership" of files and folders. After backing up my registry, I ran the program. It modifies (merges with) the registry and basically "unlocks" Windows Mail within 7.

Having done that, Windows Mail was "activated" on the 7 machine but I quickly found it was unable to detect any files in the Outlook Express folder that I copied over to the Documents folder.

Since I had another machine with Vista that had WMail, I decided to try to import the data to it to see if that would be a good intermediate step before transferring them to the 7 machine.

After transferring the same Outlook folder to the Vista machine's Documents folder, Windows mail did recognize the Outlook Express data and imported all addresses and messages with no problem.

Now the problem: After opening Windows Mail on the 7 machine, making my import attempt, then closing down program on the 7 machine, the program will not run when clicked on again. I first ran it from an exe.mui file I found in some hidden files and folders. Clicking on it again gave no results.

What should I do to solve the WMail program application file. I hope I have been clear in this explanation.

Thank you ahead of time for your help.

 

[studiot]

Haven't had the need to do this to 7 yet, but does the standard method not work?

In the source pc
Open OE and Explorer, side by side and open a mail folder (eg inbox) in OE showing all the mail items in the RHpane.
In Explorer create and open a folder named inbox somewhere suitable (perhaps on a pendrive) so it is showing empty in the explorer RHpane.
RClick once in the RHpane and than CTrl + A to select all.
Drag and drop all the mail from inbox in OE to the folder in Explorer
Do not use the copy/paste commands they do not work for this.

You will now have all the mail files in your explorer inbox

Take the pendrive to the target pc and reverse the process, dragging and dropping the mail from explorer to windows mail.

I usually export the address book as a csv file it is uncomplicated and universal that way.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Thank You Studiot

I haven't tried that one yet. Your suggestion reminds me that what may be standard for some, is not standard for all, but maybe should be!

I will give it a go and get back to you. Thank you.

Scarlet Pathos

 

[Alan22]

I am asking for help on how to export Outlook Express files and folders to a Windows 7 machine with Windows Mail (Not Windows Live Mail).

I'm confused. Windows 7 does not come with Windows Mail. In fact, it doesn't come with a mail program at all, you need to download and install Windows Live Mail separately. How did you get Windows Mail instead of Windows Live Mail on the Windows 7 machine in the first place?

 

[kwisher]

If you are not real attached to Windows proprietary applications and formats, you can install Mozilla Thunderbird on the XP system and it will import Outlook Express mail messages and address books. You can then find instructions via Google on how to move the Thunderbird files from machine to machine. Thunderbird is very similar to OE but is Open Source like Firefox.

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

I'm confused. Windows 7 does not come with Windows Mail. In fact, it doesn't come with a mail program at all, you need to download and install Windows Live Mail separately. How did you get Windows Mail instead of Windows Live Mail on the Windows 7 machine in the first place?

you can use the vista version and then do some walkarounds

If you are not real attached to Windows proprietary applications and formats, you can install Mozilla Thunderbird on the XP system and it will import Outlook Express mail messages and address books. You can then find instructions via Google on how to move the Thunderbird files from machine to machine. Thunderbird is very similar to OE but is Open Source like Firefox.

.

thats what we have starting doing dor clients who dont want live mail.

 

[Alan22]

you can use the vista version and then do some walkarounds

Great, I didn't know that. Do you have any documentation you can link to?

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

I am asking for help on how to export Outlook Express files and folders to a Windows 7 machine with Windows Mail (Not Windows Live Mail).

I have tried to import addresses and messages from Outlook Express by first downloading an application on my wife's new Windows 7 machine called Ownership.reg. The program edits Windows 7 registry allowing a computer owner/administrator/user to "take control" or "ownership" of files and folders. After backing up my registry, I ran the program. It modifies (merges with) the registry and basically "unlocks" Windows Mail within 7.

Having done that, Windows Mail was "activated" on the 7 machine but I quickly found it was unable to detect any files in the Outlook Express folder that I copied over to the Documents folder.

Since I had another machine with Vista that had WMail, I decided to try to import the data to it to see if that would be a good intermediate step before transferring them to the 7 machine.

After transferring the same Outlook folder to the Vista machine's Documents folder, Windows mail did recognize the Outlook Express data and imported all addresses and messages with no problem.

Now the problem: After opening Windows Mail on the 7 machine, making my import attempt, then closing down program on the 7 machine, the program will not run when clicked on again. I first ran it from an exe.mui file I found in some hidden files and folders. Clicking on it again gave no results.

What should I do to solve the WMail program application file. I hope I have been clear in this explanation.

Thank you ahead of time for your help.

silly reply but i take it if your using a x64 version you have taken ownership of both the x64 and x32 folders

 

[Mr.Mike]

Now that we all know that Window Mail comes with Win7, what are the walkarounds you mentioned besides taking ownership of both x64 & x32 bit folders? Thanks for your time.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Hi Kwisher, thanks for your suggestion. It sounds like a good backup plan if I can't figure the original problem out. Like PCSupportGlasgow, I too have started to work with clients who choose not to use Windows Live Mail.

 

[PatrickB]

ScarletPathos, Studiot's suggestion to export to CSV from OE and import to Windows Mail is likely the correct one. Here are some useful links:

Instructions: http://www.vista4beginners.com/Migrate-from-Outlook-Express-to-Windows-Mail

Google for others: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS305US305&q=Importing+email+from+%22Outlook+Express%22+to+Vista%27s+%22Windows+Mail%22

What is the benefit of "Windows Mail" over "Windows Live Mail"? That is, why is the extra effort worthwhile in getting Windows Mail for Vista to work on Windows 7?

I would recommend keeping Outlook Express to no one. Vista's Windows Mail and Outlook both take advantage of the Microsoft monthly Junk Email Filters. I find that feature very effective to cleanup anything that gets through the Mail Server filters.

Thunderbird is better at trashing spam than Outlook Express, but it has to be trained since it uses the Baysian method. I prefer the MS Junk Email Filters when the appropriate client is available.

-- Patrick B.

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

Great, I didn't know that. Do you have any documentation you can link to?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5481-windows-mail.html is a quite good thread on the subject as shows lots of user problems and how they got round them

What is the benefit of "Windows Mail" over "Windows Live Mail"? That is, why is the extra effort worthwhile in getting Windows Mail for Vista to work on Windows 7?

-- Patrick B.

it isnt windows live mail has more functionality than windows mail but its simply a case of some clients want windows mail as thats what their used to and dont like any change.

 

[Psychoticus]

Yeah I've encountered this problem before, have a look @ these guides, they helped me, the second link also gives you some downloads too if you dont have a vista machine.

"In order to install and use Windows Mail in Windows 7, just copy the complete content (all files and folders) inside %SystemDrive%\Program Files\Windows Mail\ folder in Windows Vista, and overwrites or replaces the same folder on Windows 7 system to port over and migrate Windows Mail."

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/06/05/download-windows-mail-from-vista-for-use-in-windows-7/
http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/191729-enabling-windows-mail-windows-7-a.html

 

[Alan22]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5481-windows-mail.html is a quite good thread on the subject as shows lots of user problems and how they got round them.

Thank you! Appreciate the info.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Thank you Psychoticus, pcsupportglascow, and PatrickB for your very useful and kindly assistance! I hope I can help someone else like you helped me. Cheers.