How to Find Saved Files in Outlook Express

Outlook Express is the email client installed in conjunction with Internet Explorer on Windows versions prior to Vista. OE offers slimmed down features of its sibling application, Microsoft Outlook, in a web-based environment. If Outlook Express encounters errors and fails to open, or Windows crashes and the hard drive needs to be restored, you may want to find saved Outlook Express files and back them up to a disc or flash drive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button and then click "Search." The Search window will open.

2. Select "All Files and Folders" in the pane under "What Do You Want to Search for?"

3. Type ".dbx" in the "All or Part of the File Name" box under "Search by Any or All of the Criteria Below."

4. Click the "Search" button. Windows will find all files with the .dbx extension, which are Outlook Express email files.

5. Hold down the "Ctrl" key and click on each file to save, copy or move. To save all of the files, click the first file in the list, press and hold the "Shift" key and then click the last file in the list. Right-click and choose "Copy" or "Send to" to copy or move the files elsewhere.

Tips & Warnings

• To find saved Outlook Express address book files, search for .wab files.