Why so many message directories (*.DBX files)?

I was looking at the directories that have the Outlook Express messages in them (*.DBX files), and notice that there are a number of them (8), even though I currently only use 2 of them (one for myself and one for my brother's identity setup). Here are the ones I have:

*** Outlook Express message directories list ***
G:\WINDOWS\Profiles\{username}\Application Data\Identities\Copy of {EE8DB3A0-3135-11D6-AA0E-00606744329C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

G:\WINDOWS\Profiles\{username}\Application Data\Identities\{EE8DB3A0-3135-11D6-AA0E-00606744329C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

G:\WINDOWS\Profiles\{username}\Application Data\Identities\{BBE91AA1-D09C-11D6-AA15-00606744329C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

G:\WINDOWS\Profiles\{username}\Application Data\Identities\{B4F04DA7-57A7-11D5-AA0A-00606744329C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

G:\WINDOWS\Profiles\{username}\Application Data\Identities\{6F381E81-D09D-11D6-AA15-00606744329C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

G:\WINDOWS\Profiles\{username}\Application Data\Identities\{3CD05300-7C2B-11D3-AA05-00606744329C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

G:\WINDOWS\PROFILES.--0\{username}\Application Data\Identities\{3CD05300-7C2B-11D3-AA05-00606744329C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

G:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Identities\{3CD05300-7C2B-11D3-AA05-00606744329C}\Microsoft\Outlook Express
*** end list ***


Now, WHY are there so many of these (8)? Some seem like old ones, but why would multiple dirs for messages be created at all? Why would they change at any point? Is it because of upgrades to OE? If not, why else? I'm wondering if I can just delete the ones that don't seem to be used?

Also, why does one of the full-directories in the previous list have a 'PROFILES.--0' as one of the subdirectories while the others are just 'Profiles'? What is this 'PROFILES.--0' directory vs. the 'Profiles' one?

AND why does the last one go straight to a 'Application Data' directory, bypassing the 'Profiles' subdir altogether?

Seems as if these dirs are garbage being leftover from something...

Thanks for any clarification.

 

I figured that, but then why do I have 8 folders when I have only 2 identities: and more importantly, can they be deleted or are they necessary? How did the others get created?

Thx,

 

I've been told that every time you install OE it creates a new message folder. So, I moved the old ones for now and am extracting the messages using a utility to take a look at them. So far it looks like these are all old directories from previous installs (had to reinstall a few times because of crashes). I'll keep them relocated for a while, and if everything works, delete them later.

Thx,

 

You can reduce the confusion quite a bit by opting to relocate the message Store Folder. It's quick and easy:

Create a new folder for each user on the root of your drive. Name them what ever you prefer. I use DonMail and JeanMail since I have two accounts set up, just like you.

Open OE click TOOLS > OPTIONS > MAINTENANCE > STORE FOLDER > CHANGE and browse to a folder that you previously created for the purpose. OK out and it's a done deal. Do that for each user, creating separate folders for each. I think this makes more sense than the default mumbo jumbo path.

After doing that, you can safely dump all the other *.dbx files you mentioned and have a cleaner simpler system.

Cheers.