Question

PCmover/Transfer Your PC did not move my Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, or Windows Mail data to the new machine. What did I do wrong?

Answer

If the settings already exist on the new machine (IE: Outlook, Outlook Express, or Windows Mail (Vista) have been used previously on the New computer), then PCmover/Transfer Your PC will migrate the mail files, but will not change the settings on the New computer. This is to prevent potential loss of information on the New machine. Also, most Outlook information is stored in a single large file with a pst extension (EX: Outlook.pst). If this file already exists on the New computer, PCmover/Transfer Your PC will NOT overwrite the existing file.

Once the move is complete, if you are not able to access your old e-mail messages via Outlook, Outlook Express, or Windows Mail, the simplest method is to import the old information into the existing profile in Outlook, Outlook Express, or Windows Mail. The steps below should help with this, but different versions of Outlook or Outlook Express may have different menus.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In Windows Vista, replace all references to C:\Documents and Settings\… with C:\Users\…

To start, we need to find out where the file is on the Old Computer. Follow the directions for the version of e-mail application you are using on the Old computer:
Outlook Express
Windows Mail (Vista)
Outlook 2000
Outlook XP/2003/2007


Outlook Express


  1. Launch Outlook Express on the Old machine
  2. Click on Tools -> Options
  3. Click on the Maintenance tab
  4. Click the Store Folder Button
  5. The location of the current folder will be listed on this screen (EX: C:\Documents and Settings\NoelM\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{89968095-075A-417A-8D50-0691E4A8D705}\Microsoft\Outlook Express)
NOTES:

Continue with the instructions for the New computer now.


Windows Mail (Vista)


NOTE: Windows Mail is the new name for Outlook Express in Windows Vista.
  1. Launch Windows Mail on the Old machine
  2. Click on Tools -> Options
  3. Click on the Advanced tab
  4. Click on the Maintenance button
  5. Click the Store Folder Button
  6. The location of the current folder will be listed on this screen (EX: C:\Users\NoelM\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail)
NOTES:

Continue with the instructions for the New computer now.


Outlook 2000


  1. Launch Outlook 2000 on the Old machine
  2. Click on Tools -> Services NOTE: If you do not see the Services tab, then your computer is configured for Internet Mail Only. In this instance, you cannot modify what store folders are used. You will need to export and import the information. Click here for the steps on how to do this.
  3. Click on the Personal Folders - *Folder Name* entry
  4. Click the Properties button
  5. The location of that PST file is listed in the Path entry (EX: C:\Documents and Settings\NoelM\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.pst)
NOTES:

Continue with the instructions for the New computer now.


Exporting Outlook 2000 data:
  1. Click on File -> Import and Export
  2. Click Export to a File and click Next
  3. Click Personal Folder File (*.pst) and click Next
  4. Select the Personal Folder and make sure the “Include subfolders” box is checked in order to export all data from the file. Save the file in a location that is easy for you to find (My Documents, your Desktop, etc)
  5. Once the export is completed, launch PCmover/Transfer Your PC again and Begin a New Migration. Since PCmover/Transfer Your PC does not migrate files that already exist, this additional migration will only be copying the newly exported Outlook file so it should be very quick.
Once the file has been migrated to the New computer, then Continue with the instructions for the New computer using the location of this file for the import.


Outlook XP/2003/2007


  1. Launch Outlook on the Old machine
  2. Click on File -> Data File Management
  3. You will find the path to your Personal Folders file in the Filename column. You may need to expand this column in order to see the full path (EX: C:\Documents and Settings\NoelM\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.pst).
NOTES: The Local Settings folder is hidden. Click here for instructions if you cannot find it.


We can now import the appropriate file(s) into the New Computer:
Outlook Express
Windows Mail (Vista)
Outlook 2000
Outlook XP/2003/2007


Outlook Express


  1. Launch Outlook Express on the New machine
  2. Click on File -> Import -> Messages
  3. Choose the appropriate version of Microsoft Outlook Express and click Next
  4. If asked, click the “ Import mail from an Oe6 store directory” radio button and click Ok
  5. Click the Browse button, browse to the store folder found on the Old computer, and click Ok
  6. Click Next
  7. It should now import all your old messages into the new identity. You may need to repeat this process for your Address Book.

Windows Mail (Vista)


NOTE: Windows Mail is the new name for Outlook Express in Windows Vista.
  1. Launch Windows Mail on the New machine
  2. Click on File -> Import -> Messages
  3. Choose the appropriate version of Microsoft Outlook Express and click Next
  4. If asked, click the “ Import mail from an Oe6 store directory” radio button and click Ok
  5. Click the Browse button, browse to the store folder found on the Old computer, and click Ok
  6. Click Next
  7. It should now import all your old messages into the new identity. You may need to repeat this process for your Address Book.

Outlook 2000


  1. Launch Outlook 2000 on the New machine
  2. Click on File -> Import and Export
  3. Verify that “ Import from another program of file” is highlighted
  4. Click Next
  5. Click on “ Personal Folder File (.pst)”
  6. Click Next
  7. Click on the Browse button and browse to the location found above
  8. Click Ok
  9. Select the appropriate Options to handle duplicates as you desire
  10. Click Next
  11. If you wish to change any of the options on this next screen in order to limit what is imported or change where it is imported to, do so
  12. Click Finish

Outlook XP/2003/2007


  1. Launch Outlook on the New machine
  2. Click on File -> Import and Export
  3. Verify that “ Import from another program of file” is highlighted
  4. Click Next
  5. Click on “ Personal Folder File (.pst)”
  6. Click Next
  7. Click on the Browse button and browse to the location found above
  8. Click Ok
  9. Select the appropriate Options to handle duplicates as you desire
  10. Click Next
  11. If you wish to change any of the options on this next screen in order to limit what is imported or change where it is imported to, do so
  12. Click Finish



Finding hidden folders

  1. Double-click on the Folder Options icon in the Control Panel
  2. Click on the View tab
  3. Change the radio button to “ Show hidden files and folders”
  4. Click Ok



For additional information on variations in your version of Outlook, see the Outlook section of the Microsoft web page: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX010857931033.aspx

Product: PCmover
KB: 324  Last updated: Apr 13, 2005

 
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