How to Migrate e-mail from Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail
Windows XP users are likely to be using the free mail software shipped with XP, namely Outlook Express. With Windows XP no longer supported by Microsoft, Windows XP users are having to upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8. Outlook Express is not supported in Windows 7 or 8 and as such most users opt to use the FREE email software Windows Live Mail, which is part of the Windows Essentials suite of FREE programs which also includes Onedrive, Writer, Messenger and Photo Gallery and Movie Maker.
Unfortunately Microsoft do not provide a tool to assist users in migrating their emails and address book from Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail and as such many paid services and software utilities have been developed over the years.
These utilities are quite expensive but worry not. The IT Guys (WA) have tried and tested the following 4 step technique that does the job for FREE using Windows Live Mail.
Step 1 – Export Address book from Outlook Express
Step 2 – Install Windows Live Mail
Step 3 – Import Outlook Express emails into Windows Live Mail
Step 4 – Import your Address Book into Windows Live Mail
The following step-by-step guide, demonstrates how to export your emails and addresses from a PC running Windows XP and Outlook Express 6 to a new or upgraded PC running Windows 7 or 8 and Windows Live Mail.
Step 1 – Export Address book from Outlook Express
In your Windows XP computer, start up Outlook Express
Select Address Book > File > Export > Other Address Book
Choose Comma Separated Value format (CSV) to Export your addresses
Select Export and select an appropriate File Name and Location that you will be able to easily find in the future.
Step 2 – Install Windows Live Mail
From Windows 7 or Windows 8 install Windows Live Mail which can be found at the following address and is part of the FREE Windows Essentials
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows-live/essentials
Unless you wish to use the other FREE programs here, simply select Mail and Install
You do not need to add an email account here so select Cancel
Step 3 – Import Outlook Express emails into Windows Live Mail
From the menu, select Import Messages
Select Microsoft Outlook Express 6 and then Next
Select the location of the Outlook Express files, which maybe hard to find.
It SHOULD be located under My Documents on the old XP data
But it may also be located at the following address
C:Documents and SettingsUserNameLocal SettingsApplication DataIdentities{Your Identity Number}MicrosoftOutlook Express
You could also try doing a search for a file called “inbox.dbx” but make sure that “Hidden” files are first searchable.
Then OK. Select All Folders
You should see something like the following as the folders and emails are imported
You should see the following when it completes
Step 4 – Import your Address Book into Windows Live Mail
From within Windows live Mail choose “Contacts”
Contacts can be found at the bottom left of the program
Click on the “Import” button and then choose “CSV” and we will import the file we previously exported from Outlook Express
Select the CSV file we previously exported from Outlook Express and click “Done”
Finally you will be asked to confirm the field mapping. Click “Finish” to import your old contacts.
Need more help?
If you live in Western Australia, and you need any kind of computer help, please bring your computer to us or call us out. You can contact us here.
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:jk:
3 comments to “Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail email migration for Free”
Tony - August 18, 2015
Thanks for the nice clear instructions from WA on migrating email from Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail. I am hoping the same steps apply to the Windows Mail app in Win 10.
Best wishes,
Tony
VIC
John Kirkby - August 18, 2015
Hi Tony
Please let everyone know if this works for Windows 10, by replying to this thread. Thanks.
Although we have advised all our clients NOT to upgrade to Windows 10 until bugs have been ironed out. See here … http://dev.itguyswa.com.au/should-i-upgrade-to-windows-10/ …. we have had to roll-back a number of clients due to drivers not working for Windows 10 or corrupt installations.
Asud Lynch - October 20, 2015
Helpful tips for Outlook Express users but i have lack of technical awareness. That’s why, I am planning to use stellar windows live mail to PST converter.
Regards,
Asud