How to Backup Outlook Express Data

Outlook Express (OE) is a type of email and/or news client that came included with a number of Microsoft (MS) Windows versions. It was bundled with the web browser Internet Explorer. Outlook Express is different from the Microsoft Office Outlook email client application that ships with MS for Windows. People can do a lot of stuff with Outlook Express as it offers a wide range of features.

Outlook Express Backup Features And More

It is possible to back up the Outlook Express address book. This feature can be a godsend, especially in situations where the computer malfunctions. Outlook Express allows people to transfer their address book to a different computer or even an updated OE version.

Here is how users go about backing up their OE address book: Open the OE program and click File. Hover the computer mouse over Export and select Address book. This will display the Export dialogue window. Use Text the File (or comma-separated values) to export the address book and hit Export. From here, enter the path where to save the address book. The file can be saved anywhere so long as the filename has ".csv" added at the end.

One the filename and location are keyed in, hit Next. Users will be asked which fields they want exported. Tick the box beside the fields required by the user and then click Finish. If successful, a window will appear announcing the completion of the Address book export process.

Importing the backed up address book to a different OE is again easy. Click File and move to Import and hit Other Address book. Users will then be asked what kind of address book they want imported. Choose Text File and hit Import. The system will now ask for the address book's location so click Browse and navigate where the backup file was saved and select it and click Next. From here, choose which fields to import by placing a tick mark next to them and hitting Finished.

To add new subfolders to the standard set of Outlook Express mail folders, follow these steps: Right-click the folder to be used as the parent. Choose New Folder and then key in the name of the new folder.

Backing up email account settings could also come in handy in case a PC gets problematic. Email account settings include SMTP server and pop settings, passwords (if this is enabled) and usernames.

Follow these steps to back up email account settings in Outlook Express: Open OE and click Tools and select Accounts from the dropdown menu. In the Internet Accounts box, users should select their Internet account and hit Export. In the Export Internet Account window, navigate toward the location the user wants the settings saved. Type a name in the filename field and click Save. Repeat the process to back up other accounts and just hit Close when done.

OE exports Net account files bearing the file extension suffix ".iaf." To restore Internet account settings: Open the Outlook Express program where the files would be imported. Click Tools next and select Accounts from the dropdown menu. The dialogue box for Internet Accounts will show up. Click Import and the Import Internet Account window will appear. Move to the folder where the exported files were saved and left-click on the account the user would like to import. From here, click Open.

If the import was successful, it should show up in the Internet accounts dialogue box. When done importing accounts, click Close. The accounts ought to be ready to use from here.

When it comes to email programs to use, Outlook Express is one option. The Internet has more info on OE so be sure to give it a look-see. Outlook Express boasts of similar features as other email clients - and then some. Learn more about Outlook Express by consulting various available web resources.