[Llycette M]

before i formatted my pc, i chose to run back up all information from system tools. i'm using xp and now i can't find my emails for microsoft outlook. will i still be able to retrieve them? help! those emails are really important..

[onlyme]

no. u have to set up the mail account again. pop3 an smtp setting.. but very easy.

[wwhlee]

to backup Outlook Express files

you need to go to Tools>Folder Options>View and they check
1) Show hidden files and folders
2) Hide protected operating system files

Then go to C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{ED751E86-2CEA-4217-B123-4A51279C9F7F}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

there you will see the database files for outlook exress, copy those to a USB drive and restore them on your new computer

another way is to drag all your emails into a usb drive and paste them back into outlook on your new computer, but then you loose all the folder locations

[hcloh]

Backup before format. Else everything are gone.

[zlatan24]

Like condition I resolved some time ago through next tool-how to open an ost in outlook,which helped my friends too,it is free as far as I know,besides that program has many good admissibilities such as it open ost file in Outlook 2003 and recover your data from these encrypted *.ost files,it allows to move *.ost files to *.pst ones fast and easy,it has two recovery options, first of all, you can move your *.ost file to a *.pst file, the last one can be easily opened by Microsoft Outlook or any other compatible email client.

[ha_jai]

I don't think you can retrieve messages after your computers has been formatted for a home user. Outlook downloads the messages from your ISP server and then stored on your computer. If you formatted your computer, those messages are normally gone unless you use a program to recover those messages.

[wwhlee]

i have that happen to me before. i lost all my data when my hd died. i heard some companies can help you retrieve. it cost about $700.