Don Phillipson wrote, On 3/26/2014 5:59 PM:
"P Bentley" wrote in message
...

Since Microsoft is stopping support for windows XP, novice wishes to save
what he can from my current 'outlook express' (especially folders and
their contents if possible) and transfer to a windows 7 system which he
will install on the same computer.

I have access to another lap top if its easier to temporarily store files
on there. Also I have the emails in outlook.com from which I can access my
emails if necessary.

So is it possible to transfer folders and their contents *simply* from
outlook express to somewhere for 'easy' recovery please? Thanks.

Outlook Express stores each folder in a DBX file that can be copied
elsewhe but their contents can be viewed only in OE. Outlook.com
can collect and bundle folder contents and permit them to be viewed.

Most Win7 distribution packages are preset to download and instal
MS's MAIL.EXE, which is unable to import DBX files and is condemned
by most people as much inferior to OE. Mozilla Thunderbird may be
a practical alternative for Win7 -- but your novice friend should be told
that nothing prevents his continuing to use WinXP and OE, so long
as he is confident in his malware protection. This can go on indefinitely
(or until he is obliged to replace some hardware and finds new
hardware requires Win7 or higher.)


No such thing as MS's Mail.exe

All MSFT email clients (Windows Live Mail and Outlook are capable of
migrating OE data.
WLM can migrate installed on the same machine (as OE) or stand-alone
when the OE message store (entire folder structure) is accessible on
another machine
Outlook migrates only when installed on the same machine. OE only
exports to Outlook when Outlook is installed on the same machine as OE.


--
...winston
msft mvp consumer apps