Migrating Outlook Express Emails and Contacts to MS Outlook: A Step-by-Step Guide

Microsoft Outlook Express, once a widely used email client included with older Windows versions, is now outdated but still used by some users. However, many are transitioning to Microsoft Outlook, which offers a full-featured experience for both personal and business use. Outlook is known for its seamless integration of emails, calendars, contacts, and more, making it a popular choice. Since Outlook Express uses DBX files and MS Outlook uses PST files, a conversion is necessary to access Outlook Express data in MS Outlook.

Why do User Choose MS Outlook over Outlook Express?

Here are some key reasons why users prefer MS Outlook over Outlook Express:

1. Unified Experience: Outlook integrates emails, calendars, and contacts, offering a consistent experience from one place.
2. Multiple Account Management: It allows you to manage multiple accounts under the same interface and rules.
3. Offline Capabilities: With Outlook Exchange, users can work on emails, save drafts, delete messages, and manage tasks even without being connected to a server.

Techniques for Transferring Outlook Express Emails and Contacts to MS Outlook

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process to migrate Outlook Express to MS Outlook using both manual and professional methods. The manual process includes three main stages:

Stage 1: Export Outlook Express Files

1. Open Outlook Express and click on Tools, then select Options.
2. In the new window, go to the Maintenance tab and click Store Folder.
3. Copy the storage path and paste it into File Explorer, then click OK.
4. You will be prompted to close Outlook Express.
5. Locate the DBX files that store your emails and copy them to your system or a USB drive for transfer to a Windows 7 system.

Stage 2: Import Outlook Express Emails into Windows Live Mail

1. Open Windows Live Mail on the Windows 10 system.
2. Go to the File menu and click Import Message.
3. Choose Import from Outlook Express.
4. Locate the folders you copied from the previous system.
5. Select the folder(s) you want to import into Windows Live Mail and click Import.
6. Click Next and then close the import window.

Stage 3: Import Outlook Express Address Book into Windows Live Mail

1. Open Windows Live Mail and go to the File menu.
2. Click Import Windows Address Book to import contacts from Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail.
3. Navigate to the .wab file location (usually under C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book).
4. When the dialog box pops up, click Import to complete the process.

Stage 4: Import Data from Windows Live Mail to MS Outlook

Now that you have imported your data into Windows Live Mail, you can transfer it to MS Outlook:

1. Open Windows Live Mail.
2. Go to the File menu, click Export, and choose the Messages option.
3. Select Microsoft Exchange as the export format.
4. Select the folders you want to export.
5. Close the export window once the process is complete.

Professional tool to Convert Outlook Express DBX to Outlook PST file

While the manual method works, it can be time-consuming and complicated, especially for large mailboxes. To simplify the process and avoid potential issues like data loss, using a professional tool like SoftMagnat DBX to PST Converter is recommended. This software can quickly and efficiently convert your Outlook Express DBX files to MS Outlook PST files in just a few clicks.

Benefits of using SoftMagnat DBX to PST Converter:

• Converts large Outlook Express databases quickly.
• Simplifies the entire migration process with an intuitive interface.
• Ensures safe conversion of emails, contacts, and other mailbox items.

Conclusion

Migrating from Outlook Express to MS Outlook is necessary for users looking to upgrade their email client. The manual method outlined above is effective but can be complex and time-consuming, particularly for large mailboxes. For a faster and more reliable solution, using professional tool like SoftMagnat DBX to PST Converter can save time and effort while ensuring your data remains intact.