MS Outlook - how to transfer all info to another computer?

[spidey07]

No idea how to do it, should be easy. Are there any files I can just move over to a new computer from a dead one to restore all pertinent outlook info like mail, contacts, mailservers/passwords, etc?

I have access to the dead computers hard drive, I can just plug it in with a USB enclosure.

thanks in advance

 

[m21s]

Create a .pst file of your contacts and address book,email ect.
Import/Export under the file menu.

Then load that .pst file on the new one.

 

[spidey07]

Thanks m21s. I only have access to the old computer data via the drive. So can I just locate this .pst file from the old computer's hard drive and import?

Basically this is a restore type of thing. I've got the drive from the old computer and that is all I have.

 

[Czar]

pst's only contain data, as in emails, contacts and so on, dont think you can move email settings

 

[m21s]

Ahhh, yes .pst files will not save settings. but will do email, contacts and so on.

But you do need to create it first, they arent generated automatically.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: m21s
Ahhh, yes .pst files will not save settings. but will do email, contacts and so on.

But you do need to create it first, they arent generated automatically.

So am I SOL without a .pst file? Anyway to point outlook to a certain directory structure and say "bring this data" in?

 

[cubby1223]

The .pst files with e-mail data is created when you create a profile. It's always there somewhere. But I'm almost positive you cannot get at all the Outlook data without booting to the previous system - atleast not easily. As for mail server & passwords & calendar & possibly contacts, you do not get those from the .pst file.

 

[spidey07]

so maybe it's a security thing? I'll keep plugging at it. Don't know squat about outlook as i've never used it. This is for a home user without a domain/exchange. Just using outlook as the client.

 

[skyking]

There's a .pst file in there. Ironically, I am doing the exact same thing. My old hardware and xp pro installation are gettting very long in the tooth.

Spidey, open an explorer window.
tools, folder options, view tab
check the box, "show hidden files and folders"

Go to C:\Documents and Settings\<your name here>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
should be a .pst file here.

 

[spidey07]

Thanks a bunch. I'll give it a shot.

now off to golf on a wonderful, sunny, 75 degree perfectly clear day. wahoo!🙂

thanks again!

 

[Jaxidian]

Another option to the Import/Export route is that you can also "Open" the PST. Essentially you'll want to copy it to a logical place (wherever it is when you open it is where it will stay until/unless you delete/remove it) and then go to File -> Open -> Outlook Data File. Doing it this way will essentially give you another root node in your folder list and everything will be based from there. Honestly, I prefer this method to the import/export method simply because you don't have to go through any kind of conversion/copy process other than just copying the pst file yourself.

Be sure to keep a backup copy of that PST just in case you do this as with anything else you try!

-Jax

 

[skyking]

I opened outlook on the new computer the first time. That creates a .pst file.
Shut down outlook.
I then renamed it to something else, and pasted in the old .pst chock full of goodies.

It's all there, contacts, everything.

 

[bluemax]

that doesn't help if you didn't GENERATE a PST file first. I have the same problem right now...

I cheated. I put the old HDD back in the old PC, generated the PST file then put the HDD back into the new PC. Boom. Back in action.

If I didn't have the old PC to work on I could have never done this and it would have been far more difficult.