Windows Live Mail Backup

Dear All,

Probably its been discussed before but I couldn't find the relevant thread / post in search results.. (and I'm in a bit of a hurry too!!)

How do I backup Windows Live Mail (in particular the messages)?

We (me and my boss) tried whats been suggested in google (file > export > windows live mail > messages... etc etc... into an empty folder and all that..)

But, even if I select "all folders", it doesn't seem to backup all the folders... the folders are locally maintained.. meaning, on the computer, and not on the server of the mail account..

Can someone please tell me (ASAP) how can I get the backup to work?

I have seen some third-party program', too.. but my boss would prefer using the export option from within windows live mail...

Thanks a lot in advance. Cheers...

 

Aren't those on Hotmail servers anyway?

 

Yes, but I think he download' the email' into the local folders without leaving a copy on the server!! At least that' what it looks like, though I am not sure if that' possible.

Basically, backing up is resulting in a folder / backup file but whose size is way too small... so I'm not sure if the backup is working fine (When I say backup, I mean, through the file > export > messages.......... way)

 

I just attempted the export on windows live mail and it does export succesfully; however the backup can only be used if imported back to a windows live mail client. (cant be read in backup folder)

 

Thanks @ ironman43...

Do u mean, you could see all the folders in the place where you backed up?? Or is it just some folders??

I have tried repeatedly but it just keeps backing up something like 5 MB total... while the actual EMail messages (including all the folders) is around 5 GB!!!!

 

It backed up all the folders (inbox, sent, my custom folders,etc). I have around 2000 messages in my inbox which are around 200mb and the backup did have ~200mb in the backup inbox folder. Are you sure its 5gb? Because that is alottt of email. But, I dont know, its definitly wrong if it says 5mb when you right click > properties on the backup folder.

 

Thanks for your message.

Yes, it IS 5 GB.. with years of emails!!!

And yes, the backed up folder shows only 5 MB or so... Is it because the folders are locally maintained - as in the custom folders are not on the email server but on the local computer and the email' have been downloaded to the local computer? And the backup is, for some reason, leaving out the local folders and the emails??

I'm lost.. I've searched extensively but everywhere its just the normal, default instructions that I find..

Worst case, I guess I'd have to try some of those third-party backup tools.. though I'd prefer I could get this done with the builtin backup feature....

 

Hmm I dont understand.

Code:

Menu > Export Email > Email Messages > Choose: Microsoft Windows Live Mail > browse for location to save

Unless you are using something other than a hotmail account, there would be other options than Microsoft Windows Live Mail. Mine gives me two options, Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Windows Live Mail and the Live Mail works for me and I use Hotmail.

 

Thanks.. and yes, we did exactly this!

It's not a hotmail account, but the personal university mail account... but we have tried the same as what you mentioned.. menu > export email > etc etc.... but the backup folder is very small and doesn't seem to backup the subfolders....

 

Menu > Export Email > Email Messages > Choose: Microsoft Windows Live Mail > browse for location to save

On the red section above, you want to choose your university account. Windows Live Mail is another name for Hotmail so you wont be choosing that. Do you see other options when it prompts you to pick the source? If you are in fact choosing the right email address to backup from then you must see the settings of you university mail.

 

Thanks..

Well, there is only one email configured and thats the university mail account... BUT, no - I don't see the option to chose the university account.. there is only microsoft exchange / microsoft windows live mail......

I'll check again in a while...

 

Ah theres the problem. But what I dont understand is why doesn't the windows live mail application support backup for other email adresses. I would give them a suggestion.

 

Is there any other way to backup the emails?? I mean, like probably copy the folders in full? From the email folder location? (Btw, where are those folders located usually?)

Thanks

 

C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\ Hotmail (ah ###\

The red part should be different for each person so heads up.

 

Thank You

I'll check it out... and will get back later.

Cheers.

 

A delayed update:

I tried copying the folders separately but (1) it takes an insanely huge amount of time (though its kind of understandable since the whole folder was like 6.7 GB) and (2) I still cannot see the storage folders (or local folders or subfolders where the emails are moved from the Inbox)..

I mean, the email account in Windows Live Mail has many storage folders, where the emails are moved as and when received in the Inbox.. now, when I open the "Storage Folders" from within < C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\********\ >, I don't see all the storage folders as named and listed in Windows Live Mail..

So, is it really not possible to backup email accounts / email messages from those that don't belong to hotmail?? I mean, an external email account (with the WLM as a client cannot be backed up???

I've tried couple of other third party email backup utility and tools, but nothing works!!

I (we) would be really happy to figure out how to backup the emails under Windows Live Mail.. or else, I guess the only option is to move to Thunderbird or Outlook....

Please let me know.. thanks

Cheers..