How can I read/open .dbx files without buying a special program?

Question

Hi, Is there a free way to read .dbx files without having to take the time (and the money) to buy a program online? I was trying to find an e-mail message on a Norton 360 backup disc I made but I can't view it without whatever program reads dbx files. Any ideas? I sort of need that e-mail soon and I don't know if I order software how long that would take, and I was hoping there was a faster (hopefully free) solution. If anyone can help that would be a major help to me. I don't even know what a dbx file is. Thanks.

Answer 1

This is an Outlook Express file and you need that application to open it and read it. Outlook Express is a free application and it usually comes on Windows XP.

On Vista, Outlook Express has been replaced with Windows Live Mail desktop application. It does not open or read dbx files.

Your best bet is to transfer the files to removable media and take it to a system running Windows XP, open it, and print out the emails you need.

At this point I am unsure if Microsoft has any plans to enable the new mail program to be able to open and read the older Outlook Express files. I sure wish they would though as it is a pain in the rear to have to trapse back and forth between systems! lol

I am also unsure if you should install Outlook Express on a Vista system. I wouldn't attempt it unless a Microsoft technician told me it would be OK, or my computer manufacturer told me the same.

Good luck and I hope you get your issue fixed soon. Please have a nice day.

Oh, here is a search page which you can review and see if there is anything which will work better than putting it on removable media and taking it to an XP system:

http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=dbx+files&src=IE-SearchBox

Answer 2

You don't need Adobe Acrobat, you only need Adobe Reader. Go to the Adobe website and download the latest version that's appropriate for your operating system. I think the latest version is 9.1.