Email and transfer settings to another PC with the XP File and Settings Transfer Wizard

Did you know? XP contains a FREE Outlook Express Backup Software - it is called the File and Settings Transfer Wizard!

In addition to the manual Outlook Express backup, we found that the XP File and Settings Transfer Wizard is an excellent FREE Outlook Express Backup Software. In the following text we share our experiences to help you to make most out of this tool.

Disclaimer: The Tips & Tricks in the following are based on our knowledge and experience. However, since we - just like you - are only users of this software you should consult with Microsoft if you need reliable advice or support. Nevertheless, if you should spot any error and omissions in this text, we would like to hear from you at our feedback form so that we can improve this page.

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1. Start the XP File and Settings Transfer Wizard

Go to ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > SYSTEM TOOLS > FILES AND SETTINGS TRANSFER WIZARD

2. Select OLD computer

3. Select "Other" as transfer method and enter the path for your backup.

4. Important: Allow changes in the list of "transfered" ( = backuped) files

5. Delete all entries, except the OUTLOOK EXPRESS SETTINGS

Note that especially the list of file types can be quite large, with typically more than 100 entries. So this is a good chance to exercise your mouse clicking skills :-)

Update: A reader wrote to us: "Your guide for using Windows "File and Settings Transfer Wizard" to backup Outlook Express is awesome... I wanted to give you a hint that could save people lots of clicking, the hint is kind of "old school" but none the less it works. Instead of clicking the remove button over and over again simply hold down the "Alt" and "R" key at the same time... kind of like pressing "Alt"+"F" in Internet explorer pull the "File" drop down menu down. The great part about doing it this way is that your keyboard has a built in auto repeat, so if the person selects the first item in the "File List" and then presses down the "Alt"+"R" and just holds it down they will watch all those file types start vanishing until they are all gone, and with only pressing 2 buttons."

6. IMPORTANT: After you deleted all unnecessary entries, this is what is left:

6. Click NEXT to start the Backup

7. Backup complete!

The transfer wizard created a folder called "Usmt2.unc" (or similar) in the folder that you entered in Step 3 ("c:\my_outlook_backup"). It contains all your Outlook data, Emails, Rules and Account Settings. The only item that is not backup are the password. If you forgot your passwords and need them, use a tool like "Password Recovery XP".

If you need to restore the Outlook Express Data (or open the backup on another PC), simply start the "File and Transfer Wizard", select NEW Computer and point the wizard to the  "Usmt2.unc" folder. Please note that this will overwrite any existing Outlook Express settings.