How to Open BAK Files in Outlook Express
Outlook Express is the email management software that was included with all versions of Microsoft Windows prior to Windows Vista. While it does not offer all of the functionality that the full version of Outlook does, it can be useful for users that don't require the full set of features. The program, however, does come with size limitations that cause a frequent need for message archiving. This creates a .bak file, which is a back-up copy of a particular folder in Outlook Express.
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Instructions
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Close Outlook Express.
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Double-click the "Recycle Bin" icon on your Desktop.
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Find your "xxx.bak", where "xxx" represents the name of the Outlook Express folder that it is a back-up copy.
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Right-click on the .bak file and select the "Restore" option.
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Click the "Start" button in the lower, left corner of the screen, then click the "Search" option.
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Type the full name of your .bak file (e.g., "Inbox.bak") into the "Search for files or folders" text field, then click the "Search" button.
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Right-click on the .bak file and choose the "Rename" option.
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Replace the ".bak" file extension with ".dbx". For example, if you were restoring your "Inbox" folder, the file name should now be "Inbox.dbx."
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Tips & Warnings
Always allow Outlook Express to finish compacting messages if it has started to do so. Interrupting the compacting process can cause data corruption.
