Import Outlook PST into Windows Mail

Artigo
06/25/2007

I've been asked recently how to import an Outlook PST file into Windows Mail and I thought it would be worth sharing how to do this. I headed over to the Windows Mail forums (part of the Windows Vista community) to see if there were any solutions already documented. There were.

Here are some key points I took from one of the posts, the most important of which is POINT 3.

Outlook must be installed on the computer that the .pst file is to be exported.
Individual messages from Outlook (.msg) cannot be dragged and dropped into WIndows Mail (or even Outlook Express on XP for that matter)
In Outlook on Windows XP export the PST to Outlook Express then import those into Windows Mail
Outlook Contacts will need to be exported as a Comma Separated Values text file for import into Windows Contacts

Technorati Tags: Windows Mail, Import PST

Comments

Anonymous
January 01, 2003
Hi Jan, That's true - thanks for sharing! James
Anonymous
June 25, 2007
Problem is that you'll come across this import problem when you've got Vista running on your machine and not XP with Outlook. The thing I did was install a trial version of Office 2007 which had Outlook 2007 in the package. (Import the old pst file(s) in Outlook 2007 trial) - optional After that the appropriate MAPI driver is installed on your system and you are able to open the old pst files in Windows Mail. Having done this you can easily copy-paste the stuff you want to your Inbox/Calendar/etc.
Anonymous
July 01, 2007
Sirs, What about .dbx files ? Tks.
Anonymous
July 02, 2007
Antonio, if I'm right, those .dbx files are from Outlook Express which is standardly build in WindowS XP. You should be able to import those to Windows Mail very easilly. Just start Windows Mail, File, Import. Select the Outlook Express verion you are using, and then browse to the .dbx file. Then double click it and Windows Mail should import them!
Anonymous
July 03, 2007
how to import message from outlook express to outlook with vista program.
Anonymous
July 09, 2007
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Anonymous
July 09, 2007
Ok, ppl and the microsoft mail says thats ez to import files from the import tool like dude previously explained a few post ago. but my problem is that windows mail bring two option in the import screen where the first is the right option. ok but my windows mail brought the first option disabled allowing me to select only the second option that required a file wich is not the .dbx file from key/identities/outlook express folder that i backed up. how do u import my .dbx files to my windows mail? ps.: i dont want to install free trial or n other version of microsoft outlook 2007 or 2003. ty
Anonymous
July 09, 2007
So there is no other way to move Outlook or Outlook Express files from the old computer to Microsoft Mail on my new computer other than to buy or download Outlook as a intermediary?!!! When I have physically put the .dbx file on my computer, Mail doesn't find it. It asks for location of an "OE6 store directory" but doesn't allow you to show the location. Can't this company make anything simple??
Anonymous
July 09, 2007
How can it be cool technology if it is so difficult to migrate to? Vista is a joke.
Anonymous
July 09, 2007
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Anonymous
July 11, 2007
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Anonymous
July 16, 2007
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Anonymous
July 19, 2007
Let me see if I understand this. As to point number 1, I need to install Outlook on the Vista computer? (I assume that's the case since obviously Outlook is already on the XP computer, which has the emails.) Then export the pst file on the XP computer from Outlook to Outlook Express, and then import from Outlook Express into Windows Mail on the Vista computer? Sorry, this is all above my pay grade. Thanks.
Anonymous
July 21, 2007
I use Windows Mail Import (Windows XP to Vista) but it does not recognize Outlook express .dbx files. I select the option Import/messages....select OutlookExpress6 and the .dbx files can not be imported or are unrecognized. Even import account settings and get a message "No other e-mail accounts could be found". Which is stupid. Of course no mail accounts could be found which is exatly why I want to import them.
Anonymous
July 21, 2007
Thanks Ali_Jane for well written excellent advice. I'd been puzzling on how to do this and wondered if exporting to Outlook Express was the way forward but I wouldn't have been able to do it without these notes. I've still to find a way to export Contacts and the Calender though. Next time I upgrade software I'll pay rather more attention to what I'm buying.....
Anonymous
July 23, 2007
Hi Tombo, You need to tell Windows mail that you're going to import the messages using the .dbx files, rather than from another account. After you select OutlookExpress6 there should be a prompt where you choose the radio button for "Import mail from an OE6 store directory" and click OK. Once you've done that Windows mail isn't looking for a specific .dbx file, it's looking for the directory (folder) which contains all the .dbx files you're going to import. Even if you're only going to give it one .dbx file put it in a folder and when you browse select the outside folder. (see my steps 8 to the end)
Anonymous
July 23, 2007
Hi Bob, If you have the newest copy of Outlook on the Vista computer Jan V's comment (at the top) implies you shouldn't need to go through everything that I did. I was trying to get from Outlook on the XP computer to Windows Mail on the Vista computer. I'd take a look and see if you have an option within the Outlook on Vista to import a .pst file, and if it gives an error consider Jan V's solution.
Anonymous
July 23, 2007
Thanks, Ali_Jane....not navigating into the store directory (just selecting the "second to last" folder) did the trick for me. I looked everywhere for a fix, and to think it was so simple as being counterintuitive;)
Anonymous
July 25, 2007
I installed the trial Outlook 2007 and found that the "Import/Export" menu choice was disabled. Dead in the water.
Anonymous
July 26, 2007
how to Import Windows Mail into Outlook?
Anonymous
July 27, 2007
Ali_janes's advise indeed works
Anonymous
July 28, 2007
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Anonymous
July 29, 2007
Ali Jane you are a wonderful wonderful person to go through so much trouble in giving us step-by-step instructions! You have saved me many hours of pain and frustration. Everyone worked beautifully for me as per your initial instructions. Thank you very muchly.
Anonymous
July 29, 2007
Thanks a lot, ali_jane. After several evenings of cursing Microsoft and their new product, your receipt for importing messages into Vista Mail saved the day. Fortunately the old computer had Outlook Express installed. I can't figure out why MS would want to let down all the millions of Outlook-users..
Anonymous
July 31, 2007
Magic thanks ali_jane going to make my afternoon easier now ill let yall know how i get on
Anonymous
August 01, 2007
Thanks to you all and especialy ali_jane I was able to getcontacts and messages moved to my wifes new vista laptop The Ancient Mariner
Anonymous
August 03, 2007
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Anonymous
August 03, 2007
So reading thru all this what is the easiest way to get my Outlook stuff exported in Vista? Step by step.
Anonymous
August 03, 2007
sorta on topic, why change away from outlook ? I am trying to decide between outlook 2007 and vista windows mail. From everything i read, i think windows mail is enough,BUT ... I often get .rtf attachments (jokes, etc)and apparently these are still only readable on outlook. I have told the sender to change his settings, but normally they are forwards being forwarded again. Seems like overkill to use outlook2007 just to read the jokes, but I have it in an office 2007 bundle, just need to decide its pros/cons verse default vista mail any advice is appreciated
Anonymous
August 04, 2007
HOW DO I GET OUTLOOK EXPRESS?! I can't find it anywhere on Microsoft's sight.
Anonymous
August 05, 2007
Thanks to you both, ali_jane and Pier. I have successfully navigated my first steps through the quagmire of the new system. Doesn't seem to be what you would expect in terms of hassle-free use, that's for sure.
Anonymous
August 10, 2007
outlook express is included as part of internet explorer 6 on windows xp machines
Anonymous
August 12, 2007
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Anonymous
August 12, 2007
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Anonymous
August 14, 2007
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Anonymous
August 15, 2007
Ali_Jane ! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU
Anonymous
August 15, 2007
OK, so excuse my ignorance but what format do I use to export from Outlook 2003? excel, access, pst, csv ... etc?
Anonymous
August 24, 2007
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Anonymous
August 24, 2007
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Anonymous
August 25, 2007
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Anonymous
August 27, 2007
I installed the trial Outlook 2007 and found that the "Import/Export" menu choice was disabled. Dead in the water. Does anyone know if the import/export area is disabled until you purchase the real copy? I can't download my contacts into Outlook 2007 on my new Windows Vista hard drive.
Anonymous
August 28, 2007
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Anonymous
August 29, 2007
Anyone know how to Export Aol contacts, folders, and files to csv and import to Windows Vista contacts etc.? Thanks I hope. Marv
Anonymous
August 30, 2007
I had the same problem as some other people, whereby I'd followed the above instructions by importing my .pst folder to OE6 on my old computer (from Outlook 2003) and then copied the .dbx inbox to my new computer. Importing it into Windows Mail didn't work. Then I read this - http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx and it's right. You have to transfer all folders, not just your inbox, to your new computer. This will let Windows Mail 'see' the new folders and you can select just inbox to import into Windows mail if you so desire. Hope this is of help, newc
Anonymous
September 03, 2007
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Anonymous
September 05, 2007
I exported my account from Outlook Express and it created a .iaf file. I put this in the same foilder as my .dbx files but when I try to import an email account I still get "No other e-mail accounts could be found". Any suggestions how I can fix this? Thanks.
Anonymous
September 07, 2007
Got an old disk with both Outlook 2000 and Outlook Express installed on. No problem importing the Outlook Express .WAB-files to Windows Mail, but the Outlook 2000-stuff is more or less impossible to get imported. I don't have the possibility to boot from this disk, and therefore not able to export anything from Outlook 2000. Anyone see a solution to this problem? Thank you microsoft for all the frustration.
Anonymous
September 07, 2007
Got an old disk with both Outlook 2000 and Outlook Express installed on. No problem importing the Outlook Express .WAB-files to Windows Mail, but the Outlook 2000-stuff is more or less impossible to get imported. I don't have the possibility to boot from this disk, and therefore not able to export anything from Outlook 2000. Anyone see a solution to this problem? Thank you microsoft for all the frustration.
Anonymous
September 07, 2007
ali_jane you're awesome! I did what you said and it worked perfectly!
Anonymous
September 08, 2007
I have an XP machine and Outlook 2003 on it. I want to import my PST file into Outlook Express. But when I try import in Outlook Express, it does not allow me to select the PST folder, just the folders that are still on my exchange server (in other words, the folders on my computer won't import into Outlook Express 6.0) I tried exporting the files on my hard drive to a backup.pst file but I can't get Outlook Express to find that either. Any insights anyone?
Anonymous
September 09, 2007
The trick for me was copying it to the desktop, all I got were error messages trying to import from the existing directory. Copyied them to desktop and it imported in just a few second, thanks a load for the info.
Anonymous
September 10, 2007
Does anyone know how to import an Outlook Express address book into Windows Mail while retaining the contact groups? Thanks Mark
Anonymous
September 13, 2007
Ali_Jane... worked like a charm... thanks, Nick
Anonymous
September 15, 2007
Thanks ali_jane it worked perfectly for me. Well written
Anonymous
September 20, 2007
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Anonymous
September 23, 2007
Thanks to Ali_Jane and Pier Italy for the detailed instructions on importing the Contacts and folders. Going through Outlook Express worked perfectly -- its a shame that's the only way to get this done for now.. Thanks from Robert H. Goretsky of Hoboken, NJ
Anonymous
September 27, 2007
To be able to Get a PST file imported into Windows Mail you need to meet the following requirements.

You need to have a intact and fully functional PST file exported from Outlook
(Vista only) You need to install Outlook on the computer to where the PST is to be imported. How to: If you have outlook on an xp machine, import to olexp on that machine, move the olexp folder to vista, import to windows mail. But you still have problems with the contacts. So before doing the above perform the step3 below.
If the Outlook is allready on the same machine as Windows Mail and you only wish to import the messages and contacts to Windows mail you can ignore the step 2
First import the PST into outlook
Now comes the little tricky part. Windows mail cannot directly import contacts from Outlook, but this workaround is pretty handy. Select all contacts-> right click on them and select Send full contact as VCard Do not send the message only save it it will be stored in Drafts.
Open Windows mail and select: File-> Import-> Messages-> Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Outlook
Notice the new folder called Imported FolderDrafts open the message inside the Draft folder and right click on the attachments-> Select Save all.
Now import the Contacts from the folder where you just saved all the VCards

Anonymous
October 02, 2007
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Anonymous
October 03, 2007
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Anonymous
October 05, 2007
How to syncronized beetween Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 at XP to Windows Mail at Vista for message & email address? The import menu at Windows Mail can not accept any format... Thanks b4.
Anonymous
October 09, 2007
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Anonymous
November 25, 2007
How do I find the Import Export button using Outlook 2007 and Vista? I cannot find it anywhere
Anonymous
December 15, 2007
I have a copy of my pst file from my xp running office 2007 with the new outlook. I am trying to add it to my new vista machine with new outlook and have addded it as my personal folders but my old inbox and sent mail do not show up, but my other folder do, what am I doing wrong?
Anonymous
December 18, 2007
I have a copy of my pst file from my xp running office 2007 with the new outlook. I am trying to add it to my new vista machine with new outlook and have addded it as my personal folders but my old inbox and sent mail do not show up, but my other folder do, what am I doing wrong? I'd guess you already have an Inbox and Sent Mail in New Outlook. So create Inbox2 folder first, in old location. Move your messages from Inbox to Inbox2. Ditto for SentMail. Then import again (but only those 2 folders, otherwise you might have a ton of duplicates). Try it.
Anonymous
December 18, 2007
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Anonymous
December 21, 2007
For anyone looking for a commercial solution to e-mail and contact conversion problems, take a look at Address Magic Personal (http://www.connectedsw.com/). You can download a limited demo to see if it works. No connection with the company - just a satisfied user.
Anonymous
December 29, 2007
Thanks for the info. My situation was slightly different. I wanted to transfer outlook 2000 mails into my new computer's Microsoft Mail. I had the trial version of Office 2007 preloaded on the new computer and activated it according to some previous suggestions but for some reason everything else was there except Outlook? In any case on my old computer I had both Outlook (which I used) and Outlook Express. From other posts it was obvious that the path needed to be Outlook -> Oulook Express -> Windows Mail. So I openned Outlook Express and imported my select message directories from Outlook 2000 (straight forward). From OLE I then followed instructions I found at:http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/3698to find my Store Folder.Then I copied the Store Folder to my memory stick (remember I had OL and OLE on my old computer and Microsoft Mail on my new computer)Then on the new Vista computer I openned Microsoft Mail and then: file -> import -> messages -> OLE 6 From there I choose the Store File (named Outlook Express) that I had stored on my memory stick (now in new computer)
Anonymous
January 01, 2008
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Anonymous
January 08, 2008
I just setup a new system (Dell) with Vista Home Premium and Windows Mail and was faced with the same dillema as many of you - moving my messages from Oulook 2000 inbox on WinXP to Windows Mail on Vista. There is a post dated "Monday, July 16/07 by ali_jane" which worked perfectly! Thanks ali_jane! It lists a 12-step procedure and it worked without a hitch (funny how '12-step programs' can be useful). The address book was easier. Simply export the address book as a file - comma separated values (Windows) - and Windows Mail will import the contacts. Thanks again to all.
Anonymous
January 23, 2008
Ok, here we go, i just figured this one out, and didnt need 12 steps.. forget the .pst file... go back into your outlook (2000,2003 whatever) export contacts as .csv camma seperated values, choosing all the paths you want to include. then open windows mail, and import the .csv file again choosing all the paths you want imported as well. no middleman of outlook express... no downloading of '07 required. hope this helps!
Anonymous
January 24, 2008
Hi, Read all the above and hope you can help. I have backed up my Outlook pst file that is now on an external disk drive. The problem I have is that I do not have the PC with Outlook anymore so cannot re export the file - I want to import this file into Windows Mail (Vista). (I also want to import my contacts) Would you have any good ideas? Cheers Jools
Anonymous
January 31, 2008
Would like to know if there is anyway you can transfer the mails you have in windows mail to outlook 2007 on the same machine????
Anonymous
February 14, 2008
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Anonymous
April 04, 2008
James: I have both XP and Vista installed and wondered if it is possible to 1) launch both at the same time; and 2) if so, export or transfer my XP Outlook Contacts to Vista Contacts? Thanks, Art Lesher
Anonymous
April 08, 2008
Another trick... You CAN move your imported folders under the Local Folders folder using drag and drop. This will take forever with all the drag-scrolling, however. One trick that helped me was to rename the new Imported folder to aaImported. That way, it stayed at the top near the Local Folders and no more drag-scrolling was required. Thanks again to all posters.
Anonymous
April 18, 2008
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Anonymous
May 17, 2008
IT WORKS! Export from Outlook 2003 and import in Outlook Express, then Export a new file and import it in Windows Mail. Thanks!!!
Anonymous
May 25, 2008
Can I add, if you have to put Outlook 2003 or 2007 onto the Vista machine to open thes .pst file (bear in mind that Outlook XP/2002 has a password retention problem in Vista) then use that for your mail instead of Microsoft Mail.
Anonymous
May 25, 2008
Can I add, if you have to put Outlook 2003 or 2007 onto the Vista machine to open thes .pst file (bear in mind that Outlook XP/2002 has a password retention problem in Vista) then use that for your mail instead of Microsoft Mail.
Anonymous
May 27, 2008
For me yet another path worked (problem: outlook 2000 pst files & contacts not loadable in Vista mail)

downloaded trail version Office 2007 from US site.
installed only outlook 2007 on Vista (this found all 2000 PST files. Needed to enter the trial product key code a 2nd time to activate and hence enable the Import/Export menu option.
exported in 2007 my messages as a PST file.
this "2007"PST file can be immediately imported by Vista Mail.

Anonymous
August 28, 2008
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Anonymous
September 05, 2008
What do you do if the XP machine, with Outlook (OL) doesn't have an option to export to Outlook Express (OLE)? Nor does it look like the install CD has a converter/export option for OL to OLE.
Anonymous
September 17, 2008
I have just got a new laptop with vista. I need to load a pst file from my outlook 2003 package to windows mail. To achieve this i imported the 2003 pst into my trial version of outlook 2007 (worked great), then I loaded windows mail and imported all mails from outlook 2007- the import took hours and I endedd up with a complete mess! My folder structure has not been maintained- instead i just have about 80 folders called Imported Folder (n) where 'n' is an incremented number. How can i import my mails with my folder structure?
Anonymous
October 04, 2008
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Anonymous
November 01, 2008
I transferred my settings from an XP laptop to a Vista one. I accidentally opened an old version of Outlook (2000) that was on the Vista laptop and before I could stop it, it had downloaded all my new emails from my server (which doesn't keep a copy) All my old emails from my XP laptop have loaded in Windows mail but I now cannot load the new downloaded ones. I have them all in a single folder and have tried to follow instructions in previous emails with success as I am not very computer literate. I have tried downloading the new version of Windows Office but it downloaded without loading Outlook and deleted the old version of Outlook in the process. I kept a copy of the pst file before starting the download so I still have this. Is there any way of importing these emails into my Windows Mail folder? Thanks for any advice
Anonymous
November 17, 2008
ali_jane your are the best!!! I followed your instructions and everything worked perfectly. Thank you so much for taking the time to make what appeared to be very difficult very simple instead.
Anonymous
November 20, 2008
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Anonymous
November 22, 2008
Hello, I am Bangladeshi. our very poor people. i don't know how setup windows xp. plz ask me. I wish all the best. Bye. Rejoan Hossain +88 02 8952673 rejoanhossain@yahoo.com
Anonymous
December 14, 2008
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Anonymous
December 15, 2008
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I have spent the last 4 or 5 hours looking for the way to get my Outlook 2003 messages from my XP machine to my new computer with Vista Windows Mail. Not one forum told me I couldn't do it; that I had to load Outlook to the new computer to get the "imap" (whatever that is) so I could import the files. Once I did that, it was a snap. Now I can uninstall Outlook from the new computer. Thanks again.
Anonymous
December 16, 2008
In Dutch we would say: "Gouden Instructie". Being an absolute nerd I was already considering to keep parts of the old hardware to save/archive my personal and business mails. The instruction of Ali_Jane...... wonderfull. Worked perfectly even for this nerd. Why doesn't microsoft become more customer oriented in these cases? Who ever you are Ali_Jane! You saved my .... mail life! Thanks, thanks, thanks. May the horses stay with you! Nick
Anonymous
December 31, 2008
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Anonymous
January 01, 2009
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Anonymous
January 01, 2009
Brilliant works like a charm.....thanks all
Anonymous
January 08, 2009
Dear Sir, I have Outlook 2000, in my vista comp. When I try to send a mail, i get error that WAB dll file is missing. I seem to be having problems in shifting my pst file to windows mail. can u pls help me out.. Vinod
Anonymous
February 11, 2009
Hi everyone I think the easiest way to do this is to download Dmailer sync it allows you to synchronzie all your email data from Outlook, Outlook Express and Windows Mail. Then you can restore that data to Outlook, Outlook Express or Windows Mail. You can even synchronize your files and internet Bookmarks or Favorites at the same time this is helpful if you are moving computer. Using this software will not cost you because you can do this within the free 30 day trial period. You can download it from: www.dmailer.com
Anonymous
March 24, 2009
Ok, all of this sounds great, BUT... I have a .PST file that was part of a backup set from an old pc. That pc crashed & I now have a Vista pc with Microsoft Mail loaded. I installed the trial version of Outlook but can not export with the trial version. What do I do??? Thanks
Anonymous
March 26, 2009
Ali_Jane , Thank You sooooooo much for your post it was RIGHT on even for a puter idiot like myself. It was well written and work as tho I knew what I was doing!!! A+++++
Anonymous
April 10, 2009
Thank you ali_jane for your well written help. It saved me a lot of time.
Anonymous
April 25, 2009
google article seems to be easy to follow: http://www.vista4beginners.com/Migrate-from-Outlook-Express-to-Windows-Mail also a site that may be helpful to new vista users

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