Viewing old Outlook Express files
 

In my archives, saved over to my new(ish) computer from a very old one, I have a set of .dfx Outlook Express files, which I would like to review. I've been using Outlook for many years now. What's the easiest way to get these .dfx files up and running again?

".dfx" or ".dbx" files?
.dfx seem to belong to a graphics software (2D/3D images) called Drafix, purchased by Autodesk. Do you have such a program installed?
.dbx files open using Outlook Express, there should be such a program in your new-ish computer, you may need to install it (if not active) using the Add/remove Windows components feature in the control panel. You may be then able to migrate them to MS Outlook. I don't use Outlook (nor OE, much) so I don't know the procedure, sorry.

I'd go with that - could have been one of three graphics programmes Google tells me but NOT Outlook Express. If they are 'dbx' files, importing into your Outlook prog is a doddle:ok:.

If they ARE 'dfx' files, what is the name of the folder they are in? Could be some clever person 'rebranded' them to protect them?:)

Hmm they are definitely described in Application Data as Outlook Express- they're definitely my own old OE files, and, on looking at a web definition:

".dbx- Outlook Express E-mail Folder- File created by Outlook Express, a Microsoft email program; contains email messages for a specific mailbox; typically saved within the "Documents and Settings" user directory; may be copied to another folder in order to backup e-mail messages.

DBX files have names corresponding to their email mailbox; for example, common names are Inbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, Drafts.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx; Folders.dbx stores the master index for all the mailboxes; if it is missing, Outlook Express will re-index the mailboxes and recreate it. "

So, can I just do a straight import into Outlook? I don't want to mess up my existing Outlook files.

Well, being a tad cautious, I would

a) Copy them to a new folder
b) Bulk rename them to 'dbx'
c) Install OE on the new machine
d) Try an import

If successful.........................

Create a new OE identity and import them into that.

Have a look and if you want them in your main identity import them in there.

SD

....he uses Outlook, hence the a-d suggestions?

I think that I appear to have recaptured the old emails. In fact, I found that I had Outlook Express on the new computer (part of IE, I believe). I did an import, and, after a couple of gropes in the dark, so to speak, I located the right files and command boxes, and I have the old messages, or most of them.

Thanks for the replies.