moving outlook express files to a new computer

I found this answer: Make a folder on the new PC and copy them there. It can be anywhere you want it to be. Then, on the new PC, open Outlook Express and click file>import>messages. In the window that opens select Microsoft Outlook Express 6. In the next window, put a check mark in the box next to the line that says import mail from an OE6 store directory and then click ok. Then in the next window browse to and select the folder you made that has your old OE files in it.

I did this but get an error message: " no messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has the required files open. Select another folder or try closing applications that may have files open. "

I know the files are in the folder. No apps are running except OE is open or how else do I get into the import.

What's going on here.

I want a simple way to tx my e-mails from OE on the old PC to the new PC; both running XP Home.

 

Your OE files will carry a .dbx file extension. If your old computer has Windows XP, they will be located in Documents and Settings under your User name, Local Settings, Application Data, Identities, A long numbered file, Microsoft, Outlook Express. I have 9 different dbx files in my Outlook Express file store on my laptop (currently away from home). You can simply copy these dbx files and even burn them to a CD if you want. Then navigate to the same folder location on your new machine and paste the files there if you have no email saved on the new machine or select and use the import function to integrate these dbx files with other mail on your new computer.

If you encounter problems, holler back.

 

I already have e-mails on the new pc so I can't drag & drop.
I detailed in my first post that I tried the import route and it gave me the error message. Is there another type of import that doesn't use OE?

 

This does not work for me. I already have e-mails in the new computer.
The import function runs into the same error message as I noted above. Error message: " no messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has the required files open. Select another folder or try closing applications that may have files open. "
So I renamed the old folder and dragged it into the new computer. It is in the same folder as my other new e-mail but I cannot get the folder to open and I can't drag & drop it into one of the new folders in the new computer. And, import still give me the same error.

Nothing seems to work.

I did compact the old messages and have them all in 2 sub folders.

 

There's a glitch in that import routine but, fortunately, you can get around it.

When you get to the step, "select the folder you made that has your old OE files in it" and click on it, back in the import wizard window, look at the path it shows.

You'll see that Vista adds an extra, duplicate, folder name to the end of the path. Naturally, there are no messages to import from there because there is no such folder.

Example, I browse to C:\Documents\Saved Mail then click the "Select Folder" button which, back in the wizard's window shows as C:\Documents\Saved Mail\Saved Mail. Even better, Vista won't let you type in that window to make the correction.

So, after selecting the folder where your dbx files are located but before clicking the "Select Folder" button, clear the name in that "Folder" field at the lower left. Yes, leave it blank.

It should then show the correct path back in the wizard window and be able to import the messages.

 

xp

Miz
You mention Vista in your instructions...I am talking XP to XP. Outlook Express to Outlook Express.

Still looking for the solution.

It shouldn't be this hard!

 

TonyT I believe this doesn't work when there are already messages in the new Outlook Express. Replacing, I think, overwrites the existing e-mails in the folder on the new machine.

 

Oops, sorry. For some reason I had Vista on my mind...obviously.

My experience has been that OE won't import messages until it's been updated to the same point (or beyond) as the OE being imported from.

So make sure you have all Windows updates installed.