Member Avatar for BlakeHeath

My outlook isn´t reading one folder. Maybe email size a large 1.5 GB or maybe files are corrupted I don't know. How to recover it?

  • 5 Contributors
  • 6 Replies
  • 688 Views
  • 2 Weeks Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by roycpo

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and a compact recovery plan based on the thread: marked the problem solved, but the issue described is exactly the kind of Outlook Express (DBX) folder corruption other posters discussed. was correct to point out the storage-format difference (Outlook uses PST/OST, Outlook Express uses .dbx); Microsoft documents the migration/import differences and why the DBX store matters. (Import Outlook Express to Outlook). (support.microsoft.com)

Why DBX files fail (short): the DBX format is fragile and has a practical size limit (2 GB theoretical; corruption often occurs long before that). Common causes are oversized folders, interrupted compacting operations, disk/NTFS errors, or real‑time e-mail scanning by antivirus. Keeping folders small and maintaining regular backups reduces risk. (learn.microsoft.com)

A non-destructive recovery workflow (use copies only)

  1. With the mail client closed, copy the entire Outlook Express store folder and the problem .dbx to external media. Never work on originals.
  2. Try a read-only extractor such as UnDBX in recovery mode to pull messages out as .eml files. Example command: 
undbx --recover "C:\path\to\dbx\folder" "C:\temp\recovered_eml"

If UnDBX recovers messages as .eml you can import them into modern clients or archive them. (UnDBX on SourceForge). (sourceforge.net)

If extraction fails or you prefer a GUI route, tools like OE Classic can import/open OE stores on newer Windows builds, and MailStore Home can archive and export recovered messages to Outlook/Thunderbird/PST/EML. Use reputable utilities and avoid one-off, unvetted “fix” tools promoted in single posts—always validate recovered files before replacing live mail. (OE Classic import help) (MailStore Home export docs). (oeclassic.com)

Notes tied to the thread: ’s direction about locating the store folder is the right starting point — copy that folder before attempting recovery. and others recommended paid tools; they can work, but try open-source/extraction-first methods above before paying for converters.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for rproffitt

Outlook didn't use dbx and well, there are spammers that will share dbx recovery apps. My favorite Outlook Express dbx recovery is from my backups. Then again I haven't had to do that in over a decade. So what next? Try Firefox and import the DBX. How is on the web.

Oh, and those spammers? They'll show up soon enough. You usually can spot them by the number of posts they made. 1 is a bad sign.

Member Avatar for poonamr

Use SysInfoTools DBX recovery tool and repair all corrupted DBX files as well convert the files into multiple formats such as EML, PST, MBOX, MSG.

Member Avatar for CarlCarstensen

To open the folder containing your *.DBX files, do the following in Outlook Express:
Tools > Options > Maintenance > click "Store Folder" button.
In the small dialogue box that opens, you will see a path that extends beyond the width of the text field which will be:

C:\Documents and Settings\<USER_NAME>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities{long-ID-number}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Right-Click in the field > "Select All".
Right-Click > "Copy".

Cancel your way out of all the open dialogs and CLOSE Outlook Express.

Start Menu > Run.
Right-Click in the run field > "Paste" > press Enter or click "OK".
Every folder that shows in Outlook Express, including folders that you have made into sub-folders under a master folder, will have a corresponding *.DBX file with the same name as the folder.
Or OE-Mail Recovery also can repair damaged DBX files.
Check it out... http://www.oemailrecovery.com/repair-outlook-express.html

Member Avatar for BlakeHeath

Hi, Thank you for your time and great help. I really appreciate your feedback and I am very thankful for your time and support. Solved!
Many thanks.

Member Avatar for roycpo

Hello everyone,
Thanks to all for your useful and wise thoughts, hopefully this would be a great solution.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.