Outlook Express - anything but Express!

[pooroldcodger]

Hi folks.
I have always used Outlook Express without any problems, but recently it has started acting up. I can't print a message - all I get is the addreeses and the date and the subject, but noting in the body of the message, but I can live with that. But for the last few weeks it is getting harder and harder to get it to start up. The program opens, and it says it is downloading messages, but in fact it's not responding. I have to end it, and re-start it up to a dozen times before it eventually downloads the incoming messages.
I use a pop mail box and an imap mailbox and the problem is the same with both.
I have a lot of messages moved in to folders, and a lot in my "in" and "sent" boxes.
My question is, if I just download Outlook Express again, and re-install it, will I lose all my existing messages?

 

[Juggers2k]

With outlook express each folder in your mail is saved as a dbx file.
If you back up all those files, you can re-import them after a fresh install.

Depending on the version of Windows you're on, they'll be in
C:\Windows\Application Data\Outlook Express\{GUID}
or
C:\Documents and Settings\<User>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{GUID}\Microsoft\Outlook Express
...where {GUID} is the Global Unique IDentifier (technical jargon for a unique long number) used to specify an Identity.

You'll probably have to turn on "display hidden files and folders" in your folder options to be able see those.

Another option is to upgrade to Windows Live Mail (installed as part of Windows Live Essentials)
WLM stores each email individually rather than a dbx file for a folder, so you're less likely to lose multiple emails if a file ever gets corrupted.

 

[pooroldcodger]

Thanks for your detailed reply. I appreciate it. Do I have to move everything from the in box or sent box in to folders first or is there a way to save the in box and sent box en-masse?

 

[Juggers2k]

If you just make a copy of the whole folder you'll have everything.
(if you look in the folder you'll see there should be a .dbx file for each folder you have in IE)

Then when you reinstall, choose the "import from an OE store directory" option to re-import the mails.