Microsoft Outlook Express Backup - Quick and Easy

A regular Outlook Express backup is essential if you want to ensure that your emails and addresses are safe. Here we will look at how to backup your Outlook Express emails and contacts.

Outlook Express stores email messages in database files that have a .dbx file extension. All of the databases are located in a root store or root folder. All we need to do to backup Outlook Express emails is to take a copy of these files. The only thing to be careful with when doing this is that Outlook Express is closed. The procedure is as follows

1. Locate the root folder location either by

   Searching for *.dbx or

   1. open Outlook Express
   2. Click Tools> Options.
   3. Click the Maintenance tab.
   4. Click Store folder and the location appears.

2. Ensure Outlook Express is closed
3. Create a new folder (outlook express backup) .
4. Ensure that you have sufficient disk space available for a copy. To check the current size of the mailbox highlight the root folder (Outlook Express) -right click and select properties. The folder size is displayed. You simply need the same space again to create a copy.
5. Right click the root folder and drag it to the backup folder.
6. Release the right mouse button and select copy here from the menu.
7. You now have a backup of you email messages.

To create a backup of your contacts/addresses.

1. Open Outlook Express.
2. Click the addresses icon ( not file>export). The address book opens.
3. Select File>Export>Address book.
4. Select Address book (WAB).
5. Click Export.
6. Give the file name (contacts), and using browse store in the backup directory you created for the email messages.
7. After the confirmation message click close.

You have now successfully backed up Outlook Express email messages and contacts.

You May also be interested in reading the following Microsoft article on Outlook Express Backup: 270670: How to Back Up and Recover Outlook Express Data.

NOTE: If you have multiple Identities configured you will need to repeat for the other Identities.

Backup Software

There are many companies offering backup software to make backing up Outlook Express that much easier. See the Outlook Express Tools page for a list.

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