Member Avatar for rainLana

I have a old PC running XP using Outlook Express as there email program. With there new Windows 7 PC they downloaded Windows Live Mail. How do I import/export old email and contacts/address book from the old PC's Outlook Express to the New PC's Windows Live Mail?

Edited by pritaeas because: Moved to Windows.
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Summary of practical options for migrating Outlook Express (XP) mail and address book to Windows Live Mail (Windows 7). ’s situation is exactly the common XP→W7 migration; ’s manual import using Windows Live Mail is the usual route and ’s IMAP/webmail idea is a useful alternative when direct import is inconvenient. The notes below fill gaps not covered in the replies, show where the source files live, and list fallback approaches and cautions.

Available approaches (high level)

  • Use Windows Live Mail’s import feature to read OE mailbox data (fast when both machines are available). As an alternative to pointing the wizard at OE, copy the mailbox files first and import from the copied folder.
  • IMAP-sync method: add an IMAP account (for example a Gmail IMAP) to Outlook Express, copy local folders into IMAP folders so the messages upload to the server, then configure the same IMAP account in Windows Live Mail and let folders sync. This avoids direct DBX handling and works well with large message sets if server storage permits.
  • File-copy + convert: copy the OE store (DBX) and address book (WAB) files to external media, then import or convert on the new PC. Commercial/free DBX→EML/MBX tools exist when import wizards fail, but always work from copies.

Where the important files typically live (example paths)

Outlook Express mail (.dbx):
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{GUID}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\*.dbx

Address Book (.wab):
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book\<username>.wab

(Outlook Express shows the exact store folder under Tools → Options → Maintenance → Store Folder.)

Troubleshooting and cautions
Always back up the DBX and WAB files before trying anything. Test a single small folder first and verify message counts and folder structure after import. If a DBX is corrupted, work from a copy and consider recovery utilities — do not run risky repairs on the only copy. For contacts, export/import via CSV or WAB/vCard and check field mapping. Given Windows Live Mail’s legacy status, consider migrating mail to a currently supported client (Thunderbird or modern Outlook) for long‑term use.

Member Avatar for crishhulae

I would try going to Web mail, almost all ISP providers offer the ability to go to their home page and access your mail from there.

I would do something very quickly before you crash your computer and loose everything. There are storage limits to how many emails you can keep , this includes the deleted folder and the sent folder.

Member Avatar for ArcadeB

The Manual Process is Actually Long, so I have divided it into Two Parts.

Part 1. Import outlook express files to windows live mail
Part 2. Import to MS Outlook from windows live mail

Steps to import Outlook Express(DBX files) to Windows Live Mail: –

Before starting the process, enable the option Show Hidden Files and Folders. The process is required because sometime user unable to see the extension of DBX file. To make it Visible just follows these four steps.

Step 1. Open My Computer and from the Menu bar, select the Tool option
Step 2. From the drop down list click on the Folder Option
Step 3. Now from the dialogue box,Make a check on Show all folders by clicking on the Check Box
Step 4. Now click on the View tab and select Show hidden files, folders and drive
Step 5. Now locate your DBX file from the location where files are stored and paste them in windows 8, 7 or vista.

Open Window Live Mail software and follow the following steps: –

Click on file >> Import >> Messages >> Microsoft Outlook Express 6 >> Next >> Import mail from an OE6 Directory >> Browse >>Select folder >> Next >> Add folders to import all the folder or Select the message from the folder you want >> Finish

This is the first step to export Outlook Express to Microsoft Outlook. With this step you can import your DBX file to Window Live Mail.

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