Disappearing storage folders in Windows Live Mail

I keep a dozen folders of archived emails in the Storage Folders of Windows Live Mail. They were originally imported into WLM when my old PC with XP and Outlook Express was retired. This was about a year ago. All was well until recently... all of my folders vanished.... without a trace.... for no reason. Not a problem because I have a backup of those files still in the Outlook Express format. So.... I imported the folders again last night, was quite happy about it and went to bed. This morning they were gone again!! Nobody but me had access to the computer.

I have seen a number of these reports in various forums (including this one), but I have not been able to find an explanation or a fix. Does anyone here have any ideas of what might be causing this?

Yep... I know about the little arrows.... the folders are gone!! Just plain gone... I just imported them again and might just sit up all night and watch what happens to them.... You know you're old and obsessed when this becomes your plan for a Friday night.

Logie said:

...the folders are gone!! Just plain gone...

You should try a repair of Windows Live Essentials via Programs and Features. (Hightlight the program, click the change/uninstall button at the top, and choose repair in the next window.) It will repair all the installed components of the suite, including Mail.

I'm inclined to agree with richc46 and roncerr. Oddly... I imported the old emails again last night and this morning they were still there. Imagine that. In fact, it's now late afternoon and they're still there. I will continue to do my diligence to maintain backups and if the folders disappear again, I will follow through with the suggestion to repair WLM.

Thanks for the advice. I'll post back if further incidents occur.
Logie

Here is what worked for me over three years after WLM was updated by MS on a 2012 version.
Lost all sub folders and this brought them all back very simply.
1. create a new sub-folder in each folder that has a lost hidden subfolder.
2. close and reopen the WLM email client. May do more than once-not sure.
3. lost hidden sub-folders will reappear in correct original folders.
This will help as the latest Wlm update causes the lost sub-folders issue.

faychin

Thank you very much for this fix.
After trying WLM repairs & re-installs with no success, your method worked. YAY!
Now to see how long it stays working but i suppose i do your tweak again and hopefully it will correct.

Interestingly, i reinstalled a System Image (AOMEI Backupper) and WLM worked but following a later start up the Archive sub folders had gone again. Annoying to say the least. Is this another MS foible we have to deal with and make allowances for? One of many it seems.