Outlook Express Backup Wizard

To append the backed-up messages to your current Outlook Express database, you should extract the messages to a temporary folder instead of restoring them directly to Outlook Express. Then import the extracted messages into Outlook Express manually, using the File > Import > Messages menu command of Outlook Express.

Warning: If you choose to restore the messages directly to Outlook Express, the wizard will erase all existing messages for the selected identities and replace them with the messages from the backup file.

How to Extract the Messages to a Temporary Folder

How can I import extracted messages into Outlook Express?

After completing the restore procedure, you should run Outlook Express and import the extracted messages manually, using the File > Import > Messages menu command. You can import messages only into the current identity.

The temporary folder created by the wizard will contain subfolders named after corresponding identities. For example, if you selected to restore three identities, the temporary folder created by the wizard will contain three subfolders named after these identities.

To import messages into several identities, you need to make each of these identities current in Outlook Express and import the messages from the corresponding subfolder.

To import messages into Outlook Express:

Run Outlook Express
Switch to the identity you want to import your messages into:
- In Outlook Express, choose File > Switch Identity from the menu.
- Select the name of the identity you want to switch to and click OK.
Choose File > Import > Messages from the Outlook Express menu.
Select 'Microsoft Outlook Express 5' (or 6 if you are using Windows XP) and click Next.
Choose 'Import Mail from an OE5 (or OE6) Store Directory' and click OK.
Select the temporary folder that contains the extracted messages, then select the subfolder corresponding to the current identity.
Select the message folders (Inbox, Drafts, Outbox, Sent Items) that you want to import and click Next.
Repeat the same steps for all identities.

I cannot find the folder where the wizard has extracted the messages

By default, the wizard extracts the messages to Desktop\My Messages folder and creates subfolders for each identity.

Can I extract and import only specific messages?

No. You can import only the entire message folders. The wizard extracts to a temporary folder all the messages contained in the backup file. When importing messages into Outlook Express, you can choose the message folders (Inbox, Drafts, Outbox, Sent Items) you would like to import.

Note: Microsoft® Outlook® Express is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Outlook Express Backup Wizard is a product of QSX Software Group and is not affiliated with Microsoft in any way. QSX Software Group is independent from Microsoft Corporation and not affiliated with Microsoft in any manner.