How do I retrieve Outlook e-mails - oops!?

Question

I accidentally un-installed Outlook Express, along with a few other Windows things (I'm sure I'll crop up with many problems later...) from my PC.

I tried opening Outlook afterwards and it seemed to be like a brand new default version - so it wasn't GONE after all!

But.... obviously, even after getting the POP3 account back and stuff, I no longer have all the old e-mails and sent items, etc, in there. Any ideas where on a PC I can start looking? Surely they could be somewhere stashed away?

I found the address book by chance - phew! But it wasn't quite up-to-date. And I can't import it back into the Outlook Address Book from it's current location - bah! Lots of fresh typing ahead.

Any nice helpful ideas are so very welcome. Any ridicule and taunting is fully predicted and obvious, so do your best! But I'd really love those e-mails back!

Cheers dudes. Vic

Answer 1

Outlook and Outlook Express are two DIFFERENT products from Microsoft. Try reinstalling Outlook Express from the installation discs.

Answer 2

My thoughts exactly. Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are a tightly nit package that is integrated into the fabric of Windows.

You can not remove OE entirely, just downgrade it to ver.5, what you describe as a 'default version'

In Outlook Express, goto Tools -> Options - > Maintenance Tab - >click on the "Store Folder" button.

The path displayed is a folder on your PC. The .DBX files in your store folder contain all e-mail messages in Outlook.

If the folder is empty, you know you've erased everything.

Answer 3

Outlook Express stores its e-mails is files with the .dbx extension. This can only be read by Outlook express if you are using Microsoft programs. If you have a new instance of Outlook Express, you can do a search in windows explorer for your .dbx files and relink them in OE. If you want to export a .dbx file to .pst (MS Outlook personnel file) or to another email program you will need a third party program.

There are several located at:
http://www.brothersoft.com/downloads/dbx-reader.html
Some are free ware, some come with a free trial. Either way it will not cost you anything if it is a one time deal.

To search for your .dbx file:
Double Click on My Computer
Double Click on the drive that contains the file (most likely the “C” drive if you are asking this question).
Click on Search at the top.
Select All files and folders as what you want to search for.
In “All or part of the file name:” enter *.dbx (the star means any)
Click on search

To link back to your .dbx file, follow the directions in the program using Help. I do not have it loaded or I would take you through it.

Answer 4

Outlook Express stores data ina folder located at
"\Documents and Settings\(username)Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\...\Microsoft\Outlook Express
e.g.
C:\Documents and Settings\Sunny\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{E998DC53-1DEC-48A4-BE0C-6F972A2712B3}\Microsoft\Outlook Express
All the files in this folder are .dbx files which contain the contacts, emails etc.
I have all my reservations that you would be able to retrieve your data. It is advisable to copy these files before unistalling Outlook Express or reinstalling it and then copying it back to the same folder once Outlook Express has been installed so that you donot loose your data.

Answer 5

ok, well this wont get your emails back but at least you'll be able to find out if they are still on your computer..

double click on "my computer" and at the top of the screen click on "tools" and select the bottom option "folder options"
on the screen that now opens up click on the "view" tab
now on that screen go down about 9 lines and there should be a tick box next to "show hidden files and folders" - make sure there is a tick in that box..

ok, now you can do an advanced search "start" "search" "for files and folders" "all files and folders" and then put in the "a word or phrase in the file" box place something that you know was in one of your emails.. someones name or a place name.. something like that.. it might take a while to search through all your hard-drive but at least then you'll be able to see if there is a file that contains your emails.. then its just a matter of asking back here how to restore.. good luck

Answer 6

If Outlook Express stores data the same way as Outlook, it will store data in a .pst file. Search your My Documents for this file extension. If you have a .pst file, your data is probably in it.