Help outlook express missing folder

Question

I have, well had right now, a folder in my outlook express containing personal messages.  I went to look in it today, and the folder is missing.  I searched for it, found it but how do I put it back in my outlook express.  I clicked on it, and it said winzip couldn't open it because it's not a valid winzip file.  I opened it with word pad and it was full of the code but you could make out the words.  Anyway how do I put it back where it belongs, and why did it dissapear from my Email program?  Thanks for your help Angie

Denny Denham · Answer

wwmd, If the file has the extension .dbx you can bring it back into Outlook Express using the procedure shown here (text version here).

wwmd · Answer

I'm sorry, I hate to be a pest.  I can't find the folder I'm supposed to copy. I can find it when I do a search for it, but I can't find it when I look for it in the list.  Maybe I'm not looking in the right places?  Would doing a system Restore work to bring it back where it goes.  This folder is very important to me for sentimental reasons. Thanks again Angie

Denny Denham · Answer

wwmd,

If you are using Windows XP make sure you have your system set to display hidden files and folders. The *.dbx files are in a subfolder of Local Settings under your account in Documents and Settings and Local Settings is a hidden folder. To do this open Windows Explorer and go to Tools|Folder Options|View tab and select "Show hidden files and folders."

wwmd · Answer

I just checked that it says display hidden folders.  Probably the first idea will work if could figure it out. thanks again for your help Angie

Denny Denham · Answer

wwmd,

If Search can find it, you should be able to see it. Search will provide the location of the file on your hard disk. Are you looking for the specific file name when you search or looking for *.dbx? How big is the file?

wwmd · Answer

When I search for it, I get a bunch of the same file names, they all have the winzip icon. So I'm not sure exactly which one I want ( I don't know why there are so many with the same name) The file is good size it has over 2200 messages in it. Would system restore bring it back? I don't know why it dissapeared, I'm sure I didn't delete it, it has a lot of signifance to me.

Thanks again for your help, you are very patient. :)

Denny Denham · Answer

wwmd,

There should be only one file per file name. As a minimum you will have Inbox.dbx, Outbox.dbx, Drafts.dbx, Deleted Items.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Folders.dbx. Each one of those files is displayed as a folder in Outlook Express. The subfolders within each of those folder, if any, will each have a unique file name. The winzip icon may or may not mean that the files have been compressed, although they would normally not have that icon.

wwmd · Answer

I did find the folder in the windows explorer I tried opening it in notepad, it opened all in code but I could find some familiar words in it, so I knew that was the one, but why isn't it showing up in Outlook express in the list of folders?  Any ideas why this happened, I'm going to keep trying my only consolation is I know it's in my computer I hate not being able to look at my emails in this folder. :( Thanks again you really have been a big help, any other suggestions? Angie

Denny Denham · Answer

wwmd, Files with a *.dbx extension will open only from within Outlook Express. If you have found the file, why can't you proceed with the steps listed in the links I provided earlier?

wwmd · Answer

I copied the file, but I can't find the location of the new folder to paste it in.  lol i'm getting there. ;)

wwmd · Answer

The location of the folder I need to copy in is C:\documents and settings/AngieMcLella/localsettings I found C/documentssettings/Angie McLellan but can't find the next part local settings? any other ideas where they might be hiding or am I not looking in the right place?

wwmd · Answer

OK I found the folder where it's located however all of the folders i.e. inbox outbox the new folder I made to put the messages back in all have winzip icons and it won't let me open it to paste the messages in?? Ughh you must be sick of me thanks again. Angie

Denny Denham · Answer

wwmd, Local Settings is a hidden folder. You said you had Windows Explorer set show hidden folders, so it should appear in the tree display as a subfolder of Angie McClella in Documents and Settings.

Denny Denham · Answer

wwmd,

The *.dbx files will be (eventually) in a subfolder called "Outlook Express." Is that folder a compressed folder? Are all of the *.dbx files within that folder actually zipped or do they only have the zipped icon?

wwmd · Answer

The outlook express folder is not compressed.  I don't think the files that are inside the folder i.e. inbox etc are compressed, I think it's just the winzip icon because when I click on it to open it with winzip it says it's not a valid winzip archive..... now what?

Windows General

Help outlook express missing folder

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