What is the file called

[pcs800]

What is the name of the file that OE stores emails in? I thought it was inbox.something
I have a customer who has accidentally deleted a user profile in WinXP. She is trying to recover emails and software.
Thanks

 

[WheeDoggy]

Look for *.DBX

This will cover inbox.dbx along with sent and any personally made folders. (Provided they are still there)

 

[pcs800]

ok, thanks for the help

 

[pcs800]

well, i searched my computer before going to hers, and there are no .dbx files on it at all.
We both use Windows XP pro and Outlook Express.
Are you sure that's the file extension?

 

[beerhunter2]

Can also check for .MBX and .IDX for older versions of OE.

 

[pcs800]

OE version is up to date.
IE 6 with all the newest updates.
But i will look for those file extensions anyway. thanks.

 

[WheeDoggy]

If you have OE6 then .DBX is what you need to look for.

It seems that they have been removed.

Not to get your hopes up but there is a remote possibility of recovering with one of those "undeleter" utilities such as on Norton System Works.

Other than that I am afraid that I have no other suggestions.

Regards

 

[nnaxor]

Maybe I'm confused. I thought all email items were kept in a pst file. Try a search for *.pst.

 

[smah]

nnaxor, that's Outlook - not Outlook Express. (And that's only true if the mail is stored locally instead of on an Exchange server).

 

[johnt123]

With Win98, Outlook Express, IE6. The default address where OE stores the emails is: C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Identities\{48F311....etc}\Microsoft\Outlook Express.

In that folder are your Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items etc and they're all .dbx files

 

[pcs800]

I am using windows xp pro, IE6.
I have searched multiple times, and there are no .dbx files on this pc.
And the one i'm searching on is my computer, not the one with the problem, I am doing this first to make sure I can find the files on a machine that uses OE every day with no problems.
So since i receive a load of emails per day, you would think I would be able to find the inbox.dbx, or any other .dbx file by using *.dbx in the windows search. But I come up with nothing.
I have hidden files and folders enabled, and I have all file extensions showing. Don't think that makes a diff, but just thought i'd try to let you guys know how my pc is set up.

 

[ChrisHirst]

In 2k and XP the OE .dbx files are in the Profile Folders C:\Documents and Setting\%username%\Application Data\Identities\{GUID}
the Application Data folder has Hidden & System attributes set so will not be found by a standard search. You can use the Advanced search option in XP to search hidden folders or you can allow the hidden folders\files to be visible (Explorer|Tools|Folder Option... View tab)


Chris.

 

[InnoTech]

just to add, win xp with IE 6.0 will pull *.dbx search results. i just tried it on 4 pc's in the office. "Jack of all trades. Master of none."

 

[pcs800]

Ok, I found them. Thanks for the help.
The folder is c:/documents and settings/user/local settings/application data/identities/{guid}/microsoft/outlook express

Burried deep.

 

[brightstar]

ok...so now youve got files - how the hell do you get them into Outlook?

 

[onlymel]

Hello Brightstar. - When you get the answer on how to not only to get those dbx files into outlook express but more so how to be able to read them then please let me know. I have gone bald trying to work it out. - Thanks.

 

[moemoff]

Might I suggest having a look here?

http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/faqs/how.htm

Best Regards
Mo

 

[pcs800]

you just replace the existing inbox.dbx with the new one. Then the mail in your OE inbox with be that contained in inbox.dbx

 

[onlymel]

Thanks to everyone concerned in their help. The secret is to e-mail the dbx file back to yourself as an attachment but before sending it you save as *.eml file. - This creates a small envelope type icon. - Wow cannot believe I have retrieved it.

 

[pcs800]

yes, to retrieve the mail out of the inbox.dbx without overwriting the existing file (so you don't lose current emails) that is a good way to do it.
Kinda not what i was talking about when i started this thread, but that's ok, as long as everyone get's help, that's the point of a forum.