Importing contacts

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  1. sureword
    Posts : 30
    Windows 7
       New #1

    Importing contacts


    I exported my Windows Live Mail address book (contacts) in the cvs file....they only give you two options to do this.....there is no WAB option.....I have TONS of folders (groups) and 2,900 contact emails.......when I import the cvs backup file into my other computer Windows Live Mail....it takes 20 hours to import those addresses PLUS it DOES NOT BRING IN MY GROUPS.........???????? Why is this????? Outlook Express ALWAYS brought it my groups, but the export was saved as the wab option.........what's the deal with Windows Live Mail......???????

    Is there not a way to bring in my email address contacts AND GROUPS (email contact groups that I've made).......into another computer's Windows Live Mail Contacts????? Is there a way to just copy and paste these somehow somewhere.......or do I have to actually go into Windows Live Mail and run the import and choose the cvs file.......this takes 20 hours or more to do.....but the GROUPS are not there....just individual emails.......
    Last edited by sureword; 09 Oct 2010 at 09:47.
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  3. roncerr
    Posts : 2,066
    Windows 8 Pro w/MC 32-bit
       New #2

    The WAB file was last used in XP; for Vista MS switched to a completely different method with a "Contacts" folder under your username in Windows Explorer; WLM is completely different once again and instead of using the "Contacts" folder (still in Windows Explorer in the same place) they create subfolders under "Windows Live Contacts" in a different place. This post explains how to find the new contacts folder and how to use it to save categories (groups). Unfortunately, it does not say how to preserve the categories set up in Outlook Express. What it will help you do is preserve the categories when making a backup of your WLM contacts but you will initially have to set them up again in WLM's "contacts" window. At least it only has to be done once: Problems Syncing Live Mail contacts with web

    BTW, you don't need to export contacts to CSV format. WLM/Contacts has an import wizzard (File>>Import>>Windows Address Book *.WAB) so you can import directly from the *.WAB file.
    Last edited by roncerr; 10 Oct 2010 at 05:08.
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  4. sureword
    Posts : 30
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Importing Contacts to WLM.......HELP


    I'm exporting from Windows Live Mail and importing to Windows Live Mail.....none of my email contact groups imported.....just the contacts......I have tons of groups that would take me weeks to redo them.......this is really tacky......why did they make these changes to make it harder on people instead of easier. So I guess I'll just have to forget having the contact groups altogether........
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  6. roncerr
    Posts : 2,066
    Windows 8 Pro w/MC 32-bit
       New #4

    sureword said:
    I'm exporting from Windows Live Mail and importing to Windows Live Mail.....none of my email contact groups imported.....just the contacts......I have tons of groups that would take me weeks to redo them.......this is really tacky......why did they make these changes to make it harder on people instead of easier. So I guess I'll just have to forget having the contact groups altogether........
    That was the point of the above posted link: Problems Syncing Live Mail contacts with web. Instead of exporting and importing WLM contacts use the Windows Explorer folder structure to preserve the "groups", now called "categories".
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  7. sureword
    Posts : 30
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Importing Contacts


    I don't get it.........it's just not clear how to do this........

    Thanks for trying to help me out. I appreciate you taking the time.

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  8. roncerr
    Posts : 2,066
    Windows 8 Pro w/MC 32-bit
       New #6

    sureword said:
    I don't get it.........it's just not clear how to do this........
    Once you've set up your Window Live Mail Contacts including their newly set up categories, and you want to back them up in such a way that both the contacts and their categories will be saved for use when you move to a new computer (or a reinstall of Window 7) with a new installation of WLM, add this folder to your back ups:
    Desktop/<username>/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows Live Contacts. When you are ready to use the backup drag the "Windows Live Contacts" folder you backed up into the new Desktop/<username>/AppData/Local/Microsoft folder that already has a folder by the same name (Windows Live Contacts) which came with the new install of WLM. Windows Explorer will be totally confused and ask if you want to replace "bla...bla...bla.." with "bla..bla...bla..." several times. Just say "yes".
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  10. sureword
    Posts : 30
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    When I actually go into that folder on my computer that has tons of email contacts and categories.....when i actually open that folder "windows live contacts".....there is just a bunch of characters and numbers and when i put my curser over it, it says empty folder...........so why is that when i have tons of contacts and categories in this windows live mail program? how can i save an "empty folder"........
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  11. roncerr
    Posts : 2,066
    Windows 8 Pro w/MC 32-bit
       New #8

    sureword said:
    ... how can i save an "empty folder"........
    It's not really empty. The contents are hidden by default. Right click on the folder and select "prperties". It should say there are several folders and many files.

    Edit: I'd like to add that this process for saving and restoring contacts and categories will not be needed by those who use WLM by "signing in" since the contacts and their categories remain on the Sign In website (contacts.live.com) as long as you don't deliberately delete them on the site or within WLM Program's "Contacts" even if you do delete the "Windows Live Contacts" folder within Windows Explorer. When WLM is once again opened and "signed-in" it will replace the missing folder in Windows Explorer with a brand new one and then sync it to the website. All the contacts and categories that remained on the website will be restored. The method I described for restoring contacts and categories is mainly for those wishing to use WLM the way Outlook Express was used (i.e. not "signed in") so that the "not signed in" contact list can be saved and restored w/o losing the categories.
    Last edited by roncerr; 11 Oct 2010 at 20:15.
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  12. sureword
    Posts : 30
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Windows Live Contacts


    Ohhhhhhhh gotcha. I see what you're saying. I'll try what you said and see if it works. This would be a major breakthrough if it does work.

    Thanks so much.
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  13. sureword
    Posts : 30
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #10

    I tried saving the WLM Contacts as you suggested and then putting them directly into the WLM Contacts folder on the computer that I need the contacts on.......it did NOT work. I still had some contacts already in there, but I just left them and then put the other ones in there.........

    I never had to go thru all of this with Windows XP......when I imported contacts and categories with Windows XP it ALWAYS brought in all the individual emails and the categories (groups) with no problem. I don't know why they had to change this and make this a mess now...........
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