Windows 7 - Importing Outlook Express into Outlook '03 in Windows 7

I just received my new laptop running windows 7 and I installed Outlook Mail 2003. I'm trying to import old outlook express mail (version 6) from my old laptop. Can someone tell me how to do this?

On a related topic. Should I install Outlook 2007 on my computer instead of 2003? I chose the 2003 version as I have read reviews that Office 2007 is no good. I'm asking because I can see Microsoft releasing a new version of Office which would be more compatible 2007 than 2003.

Thank you,

Hi Pinarello911,

Your first question.
You need to localize the outlookexpress folder on the old system.
It contains files named .dxf, .iaf and some others I can't remember.

Copy the folder to your new system.

In outlook 2003 first import the accounts.
File->Import->accounts->outlookexpress

To import addresses you need to open address book and choose import.
Then chose outlook express again.

I hope I remembered this right, because I haven't used 2003 for quite some time.

Your second question.
Not much has changed in outlook 2007, so changing only for outlook isn't worth your while.

Office 2007 for me personally is the best office to date, but lots of people hate it because they don't like spending a bit of time getting to know the new layout.

If you are planning to use 2007, make sure you first do the imports from outlook express to outlook 2003, and then from 2003 to 2007, because 2007 can't import from outlook express directly.

Hope this helps.

Let us know if you need more detailed help.
Then I will install 2003 and post screenshots.

Greetings.

Michel

>>You need to localize the outlookexpress folder on the old system.
It contains files named .dxf, .iaf and some others I can't remember.

Copy the folder to your new system.

In outlook 2003 first import the accounts.
File->Import->accounts->outlookexpress<<

I saved .dbx from outlook express onto a memory stick and then tried to import per your instructions and it does not work. Outlook keeps giving the message "This mail folder could not be opened. If another application is using this file, please close it and try again."

Where did you copy the files? Or are they still on the stick?

Try copying them to a folder in your documents, so you're sure the permissions are ok.

If that doesn't work.
Do the import job on your old systems outlook, and then copy the output files (pst) to your new system.

Good luck

I am having the same issue and getting the same error message. Can't go back to Outlook Express, because I just upgraded to Windows 7 (64 bit) with a clean install, and only have my dbx files on external back up. Any other suggestions on how to import them in and get Office 93 Outlook to recognize them?

This is the exact same problem with me.
Have you worked out any solutions ?

I was in the same situation recently and unfortunately the best solution is to import your OE messages and contacts into Windows Live Mail first and then (from within WLM) export the messages and contacts to Outlook (use the Exchange option when exporting)

for more info. on how to do this see:

Migrate from Outlook Express or Windows (Live) Mail to Outlook | HowTo-Outlook

I to am getting this problem! ->'The mail folder could not be opened'
When trying to import DBX files that I copied to a flash drive.
Saved the files with my hundreds email in that I can not AFFORD to loose and now I can’t import them..

Also I don’t have any DXF or IAF files…..

Any ideas please?

Or do you think Windows 7 is a conspiracy from the Unix/Freeware community aimed at getting MS to go broke!

Must admit I/we are getting really disillusioned with simply show stoppers like this stopping our migration… Beginning to wonder what this benefit will be.

@imk - see the link I posted above.

All you should need is the .DBX files from your outlook express folder.

You can import these into Windows Live Mail (Start>All Programs>Windows Live>Windows Live Mail) Then Export them to Outlook (Exchange format)

Typically they will be in a folder call 'imported folder'.

I realize its kind of a pain, but Windows 7 is actually a pretty solid O.S. and I run Windows XP, OSX 10.5.7, and openSUSE 11 as well.

Yes I know Windows 7 solid O.S. as I/we spent three days testing it with all the software and hardware we use here.

Big problem for us is the loss of Outlook Express as we hate the look of Windows Live Mail, you just can't see where the panes begin and end, unlike OE as you can see them from across the room. So we have been having another look at it and tried using Outlook from the Office. We have managed to import the DBX's from OE to Outlook and when I/we have some time I am going to try to export them from Outlook XP to a Flash Disk then try to import them again into Office Outlook in Windows 7.

Wish us luck...

IK..

But if this does not work then it is bye bye to Windows 7 as I will not touch Windows Live Mail again!