On Sun, 25 Oct 2015 23:39:47 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

In message , "Ken Blake,
MVP" writes
On Sun, 25 Oct 2015 20:34:08 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

My neighbour's Vista PC packed up, and he bought a new W8.1 machine.

The place that supplied it was supposed to have transferred over all the
stuff that was on the Vista PC, but there is no working email. For this
and for other reasons, he asked me if I could have a quick look at
things, and try and sort it out.

He has a 16GB memory stick, which is believed to have the transfer data
on it.

However, he also has the original Vista hard drive, which is OK (it
wasn't the cause of the failure). So instead of the trying to use the
memory stick, would it be possible to use a USB adapter on the hard
drive, and transfer the Vista email directly to the W8 PC? [I think it
was either Windows Mail or Windows Live Mail, and that there are three
password-protected accounts.]


Assuming it's Windows Mail, read he
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...I-use-the-old-
Windows-Mail-on-the-new-Windows-8.html

Excellent info. While my AV doesn't like the download source for the
'Unlocker' program, I see it's available elsewhere.


Also, I'm confused about which email client you're supposed to use with
W8.


There is no "supposed to," neither with Windows 8, nor with any other
version of Windows. There are many choices, some by Microsoft, some by
third-party companies, some for sale, some free. You should use the
one you like best, not what Microsoft wants you to use.

As a single example of what I mean by the last sentence, many people
use and like Windows Live Mail. I, on the other hand, think it's the
worst available choice of e-mail programs.


Google brings up loads of information - much of which is
contradictory. So far, I haven't tried the W8 Outlook app,



You're talking about Outlook.com? Several points about it:

1. It's not an "app." It's a web site.

2. It can be used under Windows 8, but it's not part of Windows 8, nor
of any other version of Windows. It can be used with (almost?) any
version.

3. Microsoft has once again confused countless people by giving two
such different things--Outlook.exe and Outlook.com--such similar
names.

4. As far as I'm concerned, using it, or any other web-based service,
is about the worst possible way to do e-mail. Almost any e-mail
program (even Windows Live Mail) is a much better choice.

I also prefer my email to be based on 'terra firma', and not in a cloud!

personally I think they might be better off using something 'sensible'
like Thunderbird.

Absolutely! Thunderbird isn't my personal choice, but it's a good
choice.

My normal email/newsgroup client is Demon's 'Turnpike. It's been
unsupported for quite some time. As only works properly up to XP 32-bit,
and with some persuasion in later 32-bit Windows - and not at all with
64bit), I've also had a trial Thunderbird running in parallel for over
three years. I like Thunderbird!

I prefer Outlook--note that I am talking about the *program*
Outlook, part of Microsoft Office (not the web site Outlook.com).


So, if I installed Thunderbird, could I assess the Vista disk directly,
and export the email files to the W8 PC (of course, then import them
into Thunderbird)?

I believe it's possible to move the Windows Mail files and contacts to
Thunderbird, but never having done this, I can't tell you anything
about how.

I've done these. Email transfers to Thunderbird (and many other email
clients) from Outlook Express, Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail, Turnpike
etc are pretty easy.

Wait for someone else here to provide the details.

Thanks for a most helpful post!



You're welcome. Glad to help.