OLEXP: How to Manually Convert Messages from an Outlook Express 5 Beta 2 Message Store

This article describes how to manually convert messages from an Outlook Express 5 Beta 2 message store.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

If an Outlook Express 5 Beta 2 message store (.ods file) is not in the same folder as an Outlook Express 5 message store (.dbx file), the messages are not converted.

During the conversion process, the ConvertedToDBX value in the registry is located. If a message store with an .ods file extension does not exist, the ConvertedToDBX value is set to 1. This stops the conversion process and the messages are not converted.

To manually convert a message store from an .ods file to a .dbx file:

1. Quit Outlook Express.
2. Click Start, click Find, and then click Files or Folders.
3. In the Named box, type *.ods, *.dbx.
4. Click Find Now.
5. Copy all of the .ods files to to the folder that contains the .dbx files.
   
   For information about how to copy a file, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type copying, and then double-click the "Copying files" topic.
   
   NOTE: The default message store location on a single-user computer is the C:\Windows\Applicaton Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express folder. The message store folder location may change if multiple users exist.
6. Use Registry Editor to delete the ConvertedToDBX value in the following registry keys
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\clsid\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0
   HKEY_USERS\UserName or .Default\Identities\clsid\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0
   where clsid is the numerical value of the current identity.
7. Restart Outlook Express.