Tag Archives: Moving Outlook Data

How to Move Outlook Data to a New Computer

Motivation:

You need to move Outlook data and settings from an old computer to a new computer.

Solution:

1. On the destination (new) computer:

    • Type Control Panel in Search box.
    • Click on Control Panel.
    • Select Large icons for View by.
    • Click Mail (32-bit).
    • Click Add. Set Profile Name = Outlook.
    • Follow the instructions to setup an account.

2. On the source (old) computer:

    • Open Outlook.
    • On the File menu, click Data File Management.
    • Click the data file that you want to compact, and then click Settings.
    • Click Compact Now.
    • Close Outlook.

3. Copy and overwrite all the contents of %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook to the destination computer. Create the Outlook folder if it does not exist.

4. Open Outlook in the destination computer.

Note: If you are using POP3 protocol then all the messages will be re-downloaded again once. If this is true for you then

    • Let Outlook finish downloading the messages, then
    • Click on Unread Mail folder below the Search Folders,
    • Select all the messages,
    • Press Shift, right click and click Delete to permanently delete them all.