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Re: Migrating MSNBAK file from MSN Mail to Windows Live Mail

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...winston

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Jan 17, 2009, 11:00:26 PM1/17/09
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Crossposted to public.msn.discussion for responses from MSn software users.


--
...winston
ms-mvp mail


"tjspence" <tjsp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:E06795A8-D384-4E40...@microsoft.com...
> Before changing over to Windows Live Mail, I backed up all my local folders
> on MSN mail to a MSNBAK file.
>
> How do I import the file to my local folders on Windows Live Mail?
> --
> tjspence

StephenB

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Jan 18, 2009, 10:01:57 AM1/18/09
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You can't. MSNBAK can only be used to import back into MSN Explorer.
Here are the procedures for getting access to the mail within MSN Explorer and
having it appear in Windows Live Mail (or other email program):

The email files are all stored within the user profile folder. For 9.0/9.1 and
9.5/9.6 they are slightly different. In 9.0/9.1 they can be found here:
C:\Documents and Settings\{userID}\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\MSN\db\
In 9.5/9.6, change \db\ to \db30\
In order to see the folders and the files within them, you need to set the
Windows Explorer options to show hidden files and folders and possibly system
files.
Inside this db30 folder, you will find files with an extension of .sdf - ignore
these. You're interested in the ones that look like: username-msn-com.1a0, 1a1,
etc.

and also within the folders \Mail(MSN user ID)\ with extensions of .000,
starting with stm0x...

You can copy and rename these files to have an extension of .eml.
Double-clicking them will open them in Outlook Express, Windows Mail or Windows
Live Mail, depending on what's installed and the default handler for .eml files.
You can then move them to a folder in OE/WM/WLM if desired for future access or
import into MSN mail, or you can send them back to yourself for filing within
the MSN client program.

On 10/5/07, "ComputerGuy" posted this tip in the MSN Discussion newsgroup:
"...here is one little piece of advise. After renaming about 50 of the thousand
plus emails it hit to me to just go into windows explorer, tools, folder options
and add file the file extension of .000 and give it the same properties as a
..eml file thus saving me hours of having to rename all the files. Not really
needed when it is only a couple of messages but when there are hundreds or even
thousands of files, this will save much pain and suffering."

And, Earle H. offered an additional tip:
Open a Command Prompt (Start/Run/cmd) and navigate to the folder that you copied
the contents of the \db30 folder to and type the following command -

REN *.000 *.EML
And then press enter. This will rename all files in that folder with an
extension of 000 to now have an extension of eml.

-steve

"...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote:

--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
sbo...@mvps.org

tjspence

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Jan 18, 2009, 10:19:01 AM1/18/09
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Thank you. Your response is very helpful.

One last issue is this: in the process of cleaning up my hard drive, the
original files were deleted. I also lost MSN Explorer. From your post, it
seems I need to reinstall MSN Explorer, restore the files in MSN Explorer,
then proceed with the process you've described.

So, now I need a copy of MSN Explorer with the backup/restore utility.
Where can I download one?

Thank you.

--
tjspence


"StephenB" wrote:

> ...eml file thus saving me hours of having to rename all the files. Not really

Earle Horton

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Jan 18, 2009, 12:22:30 PM1/18/09
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http://membercenter.msn.com

Earle

"tjspence" <tjsp...@hotmail.com> escribió en el mensaje de noticias
news:BB15EA00-88E6-415A...@microsoft.com...

Earle Horton

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Jan 18, 2009, 1:20:14 PM1/18/09
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(I should have added that one needs an active MSN Premium or partner
account, but the web site will tell you that.)

Earle

"Earle Horton" <ear...@terra.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:OxNyYFZe...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

...winston

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Jan 18, 2009, 4:45:13 PM1/18/09
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Thanks Stephen...appreciate taking over.
- MSn software...ugh....this is an example of one of the reasons Msn Software lasted less than 48hrs for use on one of my id's.

--
...winston
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"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message news:stg6n499kvfm0knil...@4ax.com...

Earle Horton

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Jan 18, 2009, 5:48:19 PM1/18/09
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The msnbak backups seem like a good idea until you find there is no way to
unpack them without an active MSN account and MSN Explorer currently
installed. Even exporting the messages to Outlook Express might be better,
if you have that choice (not supported on Vista).

Earle

"...winston" <winst...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:uBltHYbe...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

StephenB

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Jan 18, 2009, 6:49:23 PM1/18/09
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You're welcome. Yes, it is miserable that the MSNBAK seems like such a great
idea, but is really only useful if you then restore MSN Explorer.

I'll add that the only reason you would need this would be if messages
downloaded from the Hotmail servers were moved to the Folders on My Computer, or
local folders.
Any mail that was left on the Hotmail server, will be downloaded by the email
program of choice accessing the server.
-steve

...winston

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Jan 18, 2009, 9:26:07 PM1/18/09
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Yes..understood...thanks again for the additional info and closing the loop.

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...winston
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"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message news:asf7n45mnf0jain0j...@4ax.com...

...winston

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Jan 18, 2009, 11:56:41 PM1/18/09
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Is this a one time recovery or continued use of MSn Explorer is planned ?
--
winston
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"tjspence" <tjsp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:BB15EA00-88E6-415A...@microsoft.com...

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