How to upgrade from Outlook Express to Outlook 2007, to Outlook 2003, or to Outlook 2002

This article describes how to import account settings, messages, addresses, and rules from Microsoft Outlook Express to the following versions of Microsoft Outlook:

• Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
• Microsoft Outlook 2002

This article also describes how to set Outlook as your default e-mail client.

How to import mail account settings

1. In Outlook, click the File menu, and then click Import and Export.
2. Click Import Internet Mail Account Settings, and then click Next.
3. Click Microsoft Outlook Express, and then click Next.
4. Make sure that the name that is displayed is the name that you want to use, and then click Next.
5. Make sure that the e-mail address is correct, and then click Next.
6. Make sure that the incoming and outgoing mail servers are correct, and then click Next.
7. Make sure that the account name is correct, type the password in the Password box, and then click Next.
   
   Note If you are using Microsoft Network (MSN) version 2.5 POP mail, the Log on using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) check box must be selected.
8. Click the method that you use to connect to the Internet, and then click Next.
9. Click Finish to import your mail account settings.

How to import Outlook Express messages, address book and rules

1. In Outlook, click the File menu, and then click Import and Export.
2. Click Import Internet Mail and Addresses, and then click Next.
3. Use one of the following methods according to your version of Outlook:
   • In Outlook 2007, click Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x or Windows Mail.
   • In Outlook 2003, click Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x.
   • In Outlook 2002, click Outlook Express 4.x, 5.
4. Make sure that the Import Mail, Import Address Book, and Import Rules check boxes are selected, and then click Next.
   
   Note You cannot import rules into Outlook 2007 because the rules subset in Outlook 2007 has been extended, and it has more options than the earlier versions of Outlook have.
5. Select to import into either the Outlooks Contacts Folder or the Personal Address Book.
   
   Note In Outlook 2007 and in Outlook 2003, you can import only into the Outlook Contacts Folder.
6. Select how you want duplicates to be handled during import.
7. Click Finish.

How to set Outlook as the default e-mail client

Method 1

1. Open Outlook.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
3. Click the Other tab.
4. Click to select the Make Outlook the default program for E-mail, Contacts and Calendar check box.
5. Click OK.

Method 2

1. Exit Outlook.
2. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
3. Double-click the Internet Options icon, and then click the Programs tab.
4. In the E-mail list, click Microsoft Outlook, click Apply, and then click OK.

For more information about how to transition from Outlook Express to Outlook 2002, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: