Transferring Emails when Formatting HDD

[roguerower]

I'm getting ready to do a fresh install of XP and the last couple of times I've done it I've never had a problem except when it comes to Microsoft Office Outlook. I use the edition that came with Office 07 and for the most part I don't have any major complaints.

My question is that the previous times I have formatted, when I go to transfer my Emails after formatting, all i get is one huge jumble because all of the dates and times are deleted. Is there some way to rectify this? I have tried saving the emails in the various export options but nothing has seemed to work.

 

[MrChad]

Just backup your PST file from C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. This is a much better option than exporting / importing to/from a flat file.

 

[nerp]

Yeah, either export to .pst or just do the old kludge method which works amazingly well:

Select all your mail, DRAG them into a regular folder from the inbox. Each email will become a file with a little envelope icon.

Then, once you're installed and up and running, simply drag the email files back into your inbox. Times and dates as well as attachments will be preserved perfectly.

I use this as a fail-safe method in the event the pst import or export fails, which is rare, but can happen.

 

[maxiorel]

As already mentioned.
1. Backup your PST files
2. Backup your e-mail setting by exporting the right registry key. For Outlook 2007 is should be HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Outlook

There are detailed information: How to backup and restore data and e-mail account settings in Outlook 2007