by Kyle Getson

Created on: February 08, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2009

I would first start by saying Outlook Express has been renamed to Windows Mail in its newest versions. Windows Vista (though I agree is not the best solution for an OS) comes with this new version, but has all of the same features.

These instructions may differ depending on the version, but generally, they'll be very similar.

1. Click File>Import and Export

2. Select Export Mail to a File

3. Select Personal File Folder (.pst) This is a type of file that only Microsoft Outlook Express (or the full version of MS Outlook) will use.

4. Select the items you wish to export. (inbox, calendar, contacts, etc.)

5. Select the location of the file to be exported. If you are going to move this to another computer, you may want to export it to an external hard drive, flash USB drive, network location, or save it to your computer to burn to a disk. This is the file that you will take to another computer and import.

Once you have the PST file, go to your new computer.

1. File>Import and Export

2. Select Import from another program file

3. Select Personal File Folder (PST)

4. Click browse and select your PST file

It is recommended that you do not remove, delete, or format your old computer until you know your mail has been transfered. One possible way to avoid having to go through this process is to use IMAP rather than POP. IMAP will allow you to have a copy in your Outlook, as well as a copy on your mail server, so you could get to it if you were away from your computer. Not all email providers will allow this.

Personally, I like Gmail, Google's Mail service. The reason I use it is because, it allows for IMAP settings, so if I choose, I can use Outlook on one computer, and still get to my email when I am away from my computer. It also allows for 'unlimited' space. Currently they have a limit of over 7GB, which is more than most poeple will ever need, considering most poeple who get their email from their ISP (Internet Service Provider) only have 25MB accounts. To be fair, Yahoo! Mail and MSN Hotmail both offer large amounts of storage space. My real point with this is, don't settle for a 25MB or even 100MB account, if you're running out of space, consider an alternative. Google, Yahoo! Mail, and Hotmail are all free. Google offers many FREE features that you wont find in any other free provider. It allows for forwarding, a feature Yahoo! Mail and Hotmail both charge fees for. Google also allows you to POP other mail into one account, so if you have other email accounts, you can have your Gmail account download all your accounts mail, so you can read it all in one place. Lastly (I will stop plugging google in a second), I will mention Gmail for domains and small businesses. You can have Gmail do your email, even if you have your own domain for example mycoolbusiness.com, and I want to use yourname@mycoolbusiness.com, Google allows you to do this, and gives you 25 email accounts FREE.

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