How to Copy Outlook Express Settings to a New Computer

Included with the Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems and bundled with Internet Explorer versions 4 through 6, Outlook Express is a lightweight email and newsreading client. It lets you send, receive, manage and search through your email messages while also allowing you to view and post newsgroup content. If you are moving from one computer to another and want to bring your Outlook Express account settings with you, use the program's Export and Import features to perform the task.

Instructions

Export Account Settings

1. Open Microsoft Outlook Express.

2. Click "Tools" in the top menu bar and select "Accounts."

3. Select the name of your account, and then click the "Export" button.

4. Select your desktop as the save location, give the file a name and then click "Save."

Transfer Settings Files

1. Insert a piece of writable media (e.g., floppy disk, writable CD or DVD, USB drive) into your computer, and then wait approximately ten seconds to allow your computer to recognize the device.

2. Navigate to your desktop and right-click on the Outlook Express settings file you saved previously. Select "Send To" from the resulting menu, and then click the name of the drive into which you inserted your writable media in Step 1.

3. Follow any on-screen instructions to transfer the file to the writable media in the selected drive.

4. Remove the writable media from the drive after the transfer process completes.

Import Account Settings

1. Insert the writable media containing your Outlook Express settings file into the new computer.

2. Open Microsoft Outlook Express.

3. Click "Tools" in the top menu bar and select "Accounts."

4. Click the "Import" button, navigate to the folder on the writable media device that contains your Outlook Express settings file and then select it by double-clicking its icon.

5. Click "Close" to close the open dialog box and complete the import process.

References

• Vista 4 Beginners: Migrate from Outlook Express to Windows Mail
• Help With PCs: Backing Up Outlook Express Accounts
• Microsoft Support: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express