Importing messages with outlook express?

[btcomm1]

I thought I remember in the past doing this without a problem.

Now however I'm having an issue.

I'm trying to import inbox.dbx and when I go to file import messages, I select outlook express 6, then I select the folder that has the inbox.dbx file in it and it says.

No messages can be found in this folder or another application is running that has requested files open. Please select another folder or try closing applications that may have files open.

Neither is the case, I don't have any programs that would be using the file and the file that I was trying to import was inbox.dbx so I don't see how it's not finding any messages.

I've tried this on my computer with another inbox.dbx file and on another computer with mine and it gives that message each time.

How are you supposed to import messages?

 

[KGB]

I believe the file you need to import is a .WAB extension.
Try searching your old install for a *.wab file.

 

[btcomm1]

The wab is the address book. .dbx is the mail folder file.

 

[RebateMonger]

You can also just toss .DBX files into an Outlook Express data directory. Outlook Express will recognize them as mail folders and will re-index everything and create any folders (Outbox, Deleted Items, etc.) that you didn't include.

 

[mechBgon]

Ooo, I like RebateMonger's method 😀 My method was to open OE in a partial window, open a holding-tank folder in Windows Explorer, and (brace for it) drag-&-drop the emails from the Inbox to the folder. Then move the folder to its destination PC, and drag-&-drop the emails from the folder to the new Inbox.

 

[QuEeNyGuRl]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
You can also just toss .DBX files into an Outlook Express data directory. Outlook Express will recognize them as mail folders and will re-index everything and create any folders (Outbox, Deleted Items, etc.) that you didn't include.

This solution worked for me when I had a similar issue like the OP.

 

[btcomm1]

Thank you for posting that rebatemonger, I did know about this already but I was hoping that the import function would be a little bit more user friendly for explaining how to do it with somone elses computer. One other thing about rebatemongers way is, if you have already setup OE and received some email, from what I've tried anyway you will have to make the other folders and name them exactly the same thing as the additional ones you had, then overwrite the new empty ones that OE creates with yours.

 

[RebateMonger]

I always find Outlook Express' Import/Export functions a bit vague and tough to explain to non-experts. Outlook's .PST files are a lot easier to work with and migrate.

 

[Slikkster]

Pretty simple instructions here: (If using the same machine, just don't use the "copy to CD" option, but make note of the Store Folder)

Import OE Folders

 

[btcomm1]

I found that too, perhaps it won't work when I go to import because I just copied the inbox instead of all the files in the OE store directory.