Thread: Email backup need help

I want to reinstall Windows Xp soon, as I got a virus and after cleaning the computer doesn't work as smooth as before. I gives some strange erros and sometimes it justs hangs up... I want to backup Outlook Express emails and settings before reinstall, and restore afterwards. Any help?

I have already found some nice software tools, such as Outlook Express Backup Genie ( http://www.amicutilities.com/outlook-express-backup ) which seem to do the job right

Backing up outlooks express can be a pain, if you also have office installed with outlook (not express) it can make it a bit easier

Originally Posted by negra

I want to reinstall Windows Xp soon, as I got a virus and after cleaning the computer doesn't work as smooth as before. I gives some strange erros and sometimes it justs hangs up... I want to backup Outlook Express emails and settings before reinstall, and restore afterwards. Any help?

For the messages, you could create your own backup utility. First, find where your OE files are stored (you may have to unhide all your hidden files and folders first). The path will typically look something like this:

C:\Documents and Settings\Fred Smith\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{D006FF76-7FD8-414F-9DB0-FD56CC203C91}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Open Notepad and type an xcopy command as follows (make sure you use the inverted commas):

xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\Fred Smith\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{D006FF76-7FD8-414F-9DB0-FD56CC203C91}\Microsoft\Outlook Express" "A:\Outlook Express Backup" /s /d /i /y

Save this using the "bat" file extension (eg "OEbackup.bat"), store it anywhere you like, and create a shortcut to it on your desktop. Now just click on the shortcut to back up your email folders to the drive you have chosen. Using the /s /d /i /y switches means that only folders which have changed since the last backup will be copied, and you won't be prompted to overwrite existing folders.