Convert 97-2002 PST files to 2003 Format and Transfer to New Compu

[TCS]

I am migrating my outlook profiles to a new computer.
My current laptop is running Win XP-Pro SP3 with Outlook 2003.
My primary concern is not routine backup and restore, but to transfer my
existing profiles and emails to a new PC running Outlook 2003 on Vista Home
(32 bit). I am coming off of an old laptop running Outlook 2003 on XP-Pro SP3.

Note that all data files are Personal Folders File (97-2002)

There are 5 files in the \Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
folder
1) outlook.pst 1,186,449 KB
2) mailbox.pst 533,713 KB
3) Personal Folders(1).pst 265 KB
4) outlook.ost 238,097 KB
5) mailbox.PAB 1,009 KB

I have two profiles.

Profile 1 is “TCSIC†and uses both a POP3 email account and an exchange
server email account which is bringing my server email to my local machine. I
do not use any services on the company server.

Mail Setup for “TCSIC†has 2 data files listed,
Personal Folders - “Personal Folders(1).pstâ€
TCSIC Folders – “outlook.pst†(Mail Delivery)
(all data files are Personal Folders File (97-2002))

“TCSIC†profile has 4 sets of folders,
TCSIC Folders* – Inbox 10,323 Items (Primary Folders)
Mail Box – Tim Snyder (Exchange Server User ID) Inbox Empty
Personal Folders – Only Deleted & Search folders
Personal Folders – Inbox 10,821 Items

Profile 2 is “Tim’s†and uses one POP3 email account.

Mail Setup for “Tim’s†has 3 data files listed,
Personal Folders - “Personal Folders(1).pstâ€
Tim’s Folders - “mailbox.pstâ€
Tim’s Folders – “mailbox.pst†(Mail Delivery)
(all data files are Personal Folders File (97-2002))

“Tim’s†profile has 3 sets of folders,
Tim’s Folders* – (Primary Folders)
Tim’s Folders – (Duplicate Folders)
Personal Folders – Only Deleted & Search folders


Note that my Exchange Server email is maintained on my local machine.

I have installed Office 2003 on my new laptop which is running
WinVistaHomeBasic SP2. I have installed all updates for Vista and Outlook
2003.

As I understand it, I should not use the export/import features of Outlook,
that I should just copy the pst file to the “C:\Users\Timothy
Snyder\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook†folder. And then I will need to
reconfigure my email accounts.

1) Can I convert the existing 97-2002 data files to 2003 format?
2) What is the best way to transfer the existing profiles into the Outlook
program on the new computer?
3) If I copy just “outlook.pst†file will all components of my two profiles
be transferred and will Outlook give me the selection of profiles when I
start Outlook?
4) Do I need to copy the “mailbox.pst†file?
5) Do I need to copy the “outlook.ost†file?
6) Do I need to set up the email accounts before or after I open the copied
..pst(s) file?
7) Does the outlook.pst file contain all profiles?
8) Does the outlook.pst file contain my MS Exchange Server email account?
9) What is contained in the mailbox.pst file?
10) What is contained in the outlook.ost file?
11) What is contained in the mailbox.PAB file?
12) Can I just copy the outlook.pst and mailbox.pst then open the new
outlook using the outlook.pst file?
13) Will these two files bring along my MS Exchange Server email account,
TCSIC
14) POP3 account, TCS POP3 account in addition to all other Outlook
objects/data?
15) If I do not copy the Personal Folder.pst file will the duplicate folders
go away?
16) Will I lose any objects/data if I do not copy the Personal Folders.pst
file?

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

1) Can I convert the existing 97-2002 data files to 2003 format?
See http://slipstick.me/ansi for methods. When converting from ansi to
unicode, export is an acceptable option. It's not acceptable if you are
changing computers and keeping the same pst format.

2) What is the best way to transfer the existing profiles into the Outlook
program on the new computer?

Profiles are in the registry and don't copy well. Its best to make them from
scratch

3) If I copy just “outlook.pst†file will all components of my two
profiles
be transferred and will Outlook give me the selection of profiles when I
start Outlook?

Profiles are in the registry, not the pst.

4) Do I need to copy the “mailbox.pst†file?

Yes, if it belongs to one of your accounts.

5) Do I need to copy the “outlook.ost†file?

No. OST files are linked to the profile and won't work in a new one. It will
be rebuilt.

6) Do I need to set up the email accounts before or after I open the
copied
.pst(s) file?

Before. Add the pst to the profile before opening outlook.
See http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/2007_profile.htm

7) Does the outlook.pst file contain all profiles?

As answered in #3, no, it has nothing about your profile.

8) Does the outlook.pst file contain my MS Exchange Server email account?

No. Rewording the questions doesn't change the answer.

9) What is contained in the mailbox.pst file?

POP3 Mail, calendar and contacts. Open it and see...

10) What is contained in the outlook.ost file?

Exchange server mail, calendar, contacts.

11) What is contained in the mailbox.PAB file?

address book entries. These need imported into contacts.

12) Can I just copy the outlook.pst and mailbox.pst then open the new
outlook using the outlook.pst file? Yes.

13) Will these two files bring along my MS Exchange Server email account,
TCSIC No.

14) POP3 account, TCS POP3 account in addition to all other Outlook
objects/data?

Huh? If you mean is the account in the pst, the mail downloaded by the acct
is in the pst.

15) If I do not copy the Personal Folder.pst file will the duplicate
folders
go away?

Possibly. It depends on the cause of duplicates.

16) Will I lose any objects/data if I do not copy the Personal Folders.pst
file?

At 256KB , it should be empty.



--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Do you keep Outlook open 24/7? Vote in our poll:
http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=22205

 

[TCS]

Thanks Diane

Should I convert my files on the old machine before I copy the pst files to
the new machine?

My plan would be to
1. export my files on the old machine.
2. set up the mail accounts on the new machine.
3. open OL2003 on the new machine to create a Unicode pst file
4. import the ANSI file into the open outlook profile.

What concerns should I have about corrupting the file by using the
export/import feature?

--
Thanks,
Tim

1) Can I convert the existing 97-2002 data files to 2003 format?

See http://slipstick.me/ansi for methods. When converting from ansi to
unicode, export is an acceptable option. It's not acceptable if you are
changing computers and keeping the same pst format.

2) What is the best way to transfer the existing profiles into the Outlook
program on the new computer?

Profiles are in the registry and don't copy well. Its best to make them from
scratch

3) If I copy just “outlook.pst†file will all components of my two
profiles
be transferred and will Outlook give me the selection of profiles when I
start Outlook?

Profiles are in the registry, not the pst.

4) Do I need to copy the “mailbox.pst†file?

Yes, if it belongs to one of your accounts.

5) Do I need to copy the “outlook.ost†file?

No. OST files are linked to the profile and won't work in a new one. It will
be rebuilt.

6) Do I need to set up the email accounts before or after I open the
copied
.pst(s) file?

Before. Add the pst to the profile before opening outlook.
See http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/2007_profile.htm

7) Does the outlook.pst file contain all profiles?

As answered in #3, no, it has nothing about your profile.

8) Does the outlook.pst file contain my MS Exchange Server email account?

No. Rewording the questions doesn't change the answer.

9) What is contained in the mailbox.pst file?

POP3 Mail, calendar and contacts. Open it and see...

10) What is contained in the outlook.ost file?

Exchange server mail, calendar, contacts.

11) What is contained in the mailbox.PAB file?

address book entries. These need imported into contacts.

12) Can I just copy the outlook.pst and mailbox.pst then open the new
outlook using the outlook.pst file? Yes.

13) Will these two files bring along my MS Exchange Server email account,
TCSIC No.

14) POP3 account, TCS POP3 account in addition to all other Outlook
objects/data?

Huh? If you mean is the account in the pst, the mail downloaded by the acct
is in the pst.

15) If I do not copy the Personal Folder.pst file will the duplicate
folders
go away?

Possibly. It depends on the cause of duplicates.

16) Will I lose any objects/data if I do not copy the Personal Folders.pst
file?

At 256KB , it should be empty.



--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Do you keep Outlook open 24/7? Vote in our poll:
http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=22205

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Should I convert my files on the old machine before I copy the pst files to
the new machine?

My plan would be to
1. export my files on the old machine.

Don't export. Just copy the existing PSTs. Forget the PAB. It's been
obsolete for over ten years.

2. set up the mail accounts on the new machine.
3. open OL2003 on the new machine to create a Unicode pst file
4. import the ANSI file into the open outlook profile.

Don't import. Open the old PST and copy the data in each folder to its
corresponding folder in the new PST.

 

[TCS]

Thanks Brian,

When I open the ANSI pst file will there be two sets of folders in the
profile?
Can I just right-click the Canedar, Tasks, Journal and each individual mail
folder then copy and paste into the new profile?
Will this data be coverted to the new Unicode format?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

When I open the ANSI pst file will there be two sets of folders in the
profile?
Correct.

Can I just right-click the Canedar, Tasks, Journal and each individual mail
folder then copy and paste into the new profile?
Will this data be coverted to the new Unicode format?

You cannot copy the folders themselves because you cannot have move that one
default folder of a particular name. Open each of the folders in the ANSI
PST, select all the items with Ctrl-A, then copy the selection (either with
right-click/Drag, Ctrl/Drag or Edit>Copy to Folder) to the corresponding
folder in the default (Unicode) PST. For the Calendar, you'll need to change
the view to a table view like Events or By Category in order for Ctrl-A to
work. The conversion to Unicode will happen in the copy. When you're done
with all the folders in the ANSI PST, right-click the PST's root and choose
Close to remove it from the mail profile.

 

[TCS]

Hi Brian,

Thanks for all of the deatiled information and references. The deails really
help to understand the exact steps needed to perform this operation with a
minimum of difficulty.

Could you please take a quick look at the process that I intend to use and
point out any steps that might cause error or corruption.

I also have 3 more questions (in CAPS) if you could be so kind as to respond
to them.

Thank you,
Tim

PROCEDURE

To convert Outlook 2003, ANSI 97/2002 format, profile data to Outlook 2003,
Unicode 2003 format data and transfer/migrate the data to a new computer.
From Win XP-Pro to Vista Home.

Only the pst files need to be transferred to the new PC.
The data contained in the Outlook profiles is wholly contained in the pst
files.
The profiles are saved in the registry.
Do not use the export/import feature provided in Outlook.

1. Install Outlook 2003 on the new computer and install all updates.
2. Using the mail setup from the old PC as a guide, set up ALL mail
accounts on the new machine by opening Control Panel/Mail/Mail Setup/E-Mail
Accounts.
3. Open OL2003 on the new machine a Unicode (2003) pst file will
automatically be created.
4. Leave Outlook open.
5. Copy the ANSI (97/2002) format pst file from the old PC (C:\Documents
and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook) into
a temporary directory on the new PC.
6. Change the file name of the ANSI pst file to something other than
“outlook.pstâ€, different from the name of the newly created Unicode pst file.
7. Copy the differently named ANSI pst file to the outlook file directory
on the new PC (C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook).
8. From the Outlook menu, select File/Open and open the ANSI pst file. This
will display the ANSI profile’s folders in addition to the newly created
Unicode folders generated when Outlook was opened the first time.
Note: You cannot copy the folders themselves because you cannot have more
than one default folder of a particular name.

WHAT IF THE ROOT FOLDERS ON THE NEW PC ARE NAMED “PERSONAL FOLDERS†AND THE
ROOT FOLDERS IN THE ANSI PST FILE ARE NAMED “TCSICâ€. CAN I COPY WHOLE
FOLDERS?

9. Open each of the folders in the ANSI profile, select all the items using
Ctrl-A, then copy the selection (either with right-click/Drag, Ctrl/Drag or
Edit>Copy to Folder) to the corresponding folder in the newly created
(Unicode) profile.
For the Calendar, you'll need to change the view to a table view like Events
or By Category in order for Ctrl-A to work.

Note: The conversion from ANSI to Unicode will happen in the copy process.

10. Using the mail setup from the old PC as a guide, set up Outlook Data
Files on the new machine by opening Control Panel/Mail/Mail Setup/Outlook
Data Files.
11. When you're done copying all the folders in the ANSI profile’s folders,
right-click the ANSI profile’s root and choose “Close†to remove it from the
mail profile.

AFTER I COPY THE ITEMS OR FOLDERS TO THE UNICODE FOLDERS AND CLOSE THE ANSI
PST FILE, CAN I DELETE THE ANSI PST FILE?

12. Navigate to the Outlook file directory and delete the ANSI pst file.
13. If multiple pst files representing multiple profiles are being converted
and transferred to the new computer, follow the above steps for the
individual pst files and profile folders.
14. For multiple pst files and profiles folders, set up the subsequent
profile’s mail accounts and data files by opening Control
Panel/Mail/Profiles/Show Profiles/name/Properties.

IF I FIND THAT MY DATA/FOLDERS ARE CORRUPTED, CAN I UNINSTALL OUTLOOK FROM
THE NEW COMPUTER, DELETE ANY PST FILES AND START OVER WITH NO REMAINING
ARTIFACTS LEFT BEHIND TO RECORRUPT A NEW INSTALLATION?

 

[TCS]

Hi Diane,

Thanks for all of the information and references. It really helped me to
understand the exact steps needed to perform this operation with a minimum of
difficulty.

Could you please take a quick look at the process that I intend to use and
point out any steps that might cause error or corruption.

I also have 3 more questions (in CAPS) if you could be so kind as to respond
to them.

Thank you,
Tim

PROCEDURE

To convert Outlook 2003, ANSI 97/2002 format, profile data to Outlook 2003,
Unicode 2003 format data and transfer/migrate the data to a new computer.
From Win XP-Pro to Vista Home.

Only the pst files need to be transferred to the new PC.
The data contained in the Outlook profiles is wholly contained in the pst
files.
The profiles are saved in the registry.
Do not use the export/import feature provided in Outlook.

1. Install Outlook 2003 on the new computer and install all updates.
2. Using the mail setup from the old PC as a guide, set up ALL mail
accounts on the new machine by opening Control Panel/Mail/Mail Setup/E-Mail
Accounts.
3. Open OL2003 on the new machine a Unicode (2003) pst file will
automatically be created.
4. Leave Outlook open.
5. Copy the ANSI (97/2002) format pst file from the old PC (C:\Documents
and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook) into
a temporary directory on the new PC.
6. Change the file name of the ANSI pst file to something other than
“outlook.pstâ€, different from the name of the newly created Unicode pst file.
7. Copy the differently named ANSI pst file to the outlook file directory
on the new PC (C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook).
8. From the Outlook menu, select File/Open and open the ANSI pst file. This
will display the ANSI profile’s folders in addition to the newly created
Unicode folders generated when Outlook was opened the first time.

Note: You cannot copy the folders themselves because you cannot have more
than one default folder of a particular name.

WHAT IF THE ROOT FOLDERS ON THE NEW PC ARE NAMED “PERSONAL FOLDERS†AND THE
ROOT FOLDERS IN THE ANSI PST FILE ARE NAMED “TCSICâ€. CAN I COPY WHOLE
FOLDERS?

9. Open each of the folders in the ANSI profile, select all the items using
Ctrl-A, then copy the selection (either with right-click/Drag, Ctrl/Drag or
Edit>Copy to Folder) to the corresponding folder in the newly created
(Unicode) profile.
For the Calendar, you'll need to change the view to a table view like Events
or By Category in order for Ctrl-A to work.

Note: The conversion from ANSI to Unicode will happen in the copy process.

10. Using the mail setup from the old PC as a guide, set up Outlook Data
Files on the new machine by opening Control Panel/Mail/Mail Setup/Outlook
Data Files.
11. When you're done copying all the folders in the ANSI profile’s folders,
right-click the ANSI profile’s root and choose “Close†to remove it from the
mail profile.

AFTER I COPY THE ITEMS OR FOLDERS TO THE UNICODE FOLDERS AND CLOSE THE ANSI
PST FILE, CAN I DELETE THE ANSI PST FILE?

12. Navigate to the Outlook file directory and delete the ANSI pst file.
13. If multiple pst files representing multiple profiles are being converted
and transferred to the new computer, follow the above steps for the
individual pst files and profile folders.
14. For multiple pst files and profiles folders, set up the subsequent
profile’s mail accounts and data files by opening Control
Panel/Mail/Profiles/Show Profiles/name/Properties.

IF I FIND THAT MY DATA/FOLDERS ARE CORRUPTED, CAN I UNINSTALL OUTLOOK FROM
THE NEW COMPUTER, DELETE ANY PST FILES AND START OVER WITH NO REMAINING
ARTIFACTS LEFT BEHIND TO RECORRUPT A NEW INSTALLATION?

--
Thanks,
Tim

1) Can I convert the existing 97-2002 data files to 2003 format?

See http://slipstick.me/ansi for methods. When converting from ansi to
unicode, export is an acceptable option. It's not acceptable if you are
changing computers and keeping the same pst format.

2) What is the best way to transfer the existing profiles into the Outlook
program on the new computer?

Profiles are in the registry and don't copy well. Its best to make them from
scratch

3) If I copy just “outlook.pst†file will all components of my two
profiles
be transferred and will Outlook give me the selection of profiles when I
start Outlook?

Profiles are in the registry, not the pst.

4) Do I need to copy the “mailbox.pst†file?

Yes, if it belongs to one of your accounts.

5) Do I need to copy the “outlook.ost†file?

No. OST files are linked to the profile and won't work in a new one. It will
be rebuilt.

6) Do I need to set up the email accounts before or after I open the
copied
.pst(s) file?

Before. Add the pst to the profile before opening outlook.
See http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/2007_profile.htm

7) Does the outlook.pst file contain all profiles?

As answered in #3, no, it has nothing about your profile.

8) Does the outlook.pst file contain my MS Exchange Server email account?

No. Rewording the questions doesn't change the answer.

9) What is contained in the mailbox.pst file?

POP3 Mail, calendar and contacts. Open it and see...

10) What is contained in the outlook.ost file?

Exchange server mail, calendar, contacts.

11) What is contained in the mailbox.PAB file?

address book entries. These need imported into contacts.

12) Can I just copy the outlook.pst and mailbox.pst then open the new
outlook using the outlook.pst file? Yes.

13) Will these two files bring along my MS Exchange Server email account,
TCSIC No.

14) POP3 account, TCS POP3 account in addition to all other Outlook
objects/data?

Huh? If you mean is the account in the pst, the mail downloaded by the acct
is in the pst.

15) If I do not copy the Personal Folder.pst file will the duplicate
folders
go away?

Possibly. It depends on the cause of duplicates.

16) Will I lose any objects/data if I do not copy the Personal Folders.pst
file?

At 256KB , it should be empty.



--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Do you keep Outlook open 24/7? Vote in our poll:
http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=22205

 

[TCS]

ps: IF I MOVE THE ITEMS INSTEAD OF COPY, WILL THE CONVERSION FROM ANSI TO
UNICODE STILL TAKE PLACE?
I WOULD LIKE TO USE MOVE INSTEAD OF COPY TO RETAIN THE ORIGINAL "LAST
MODIFIED DATES".

 

[TCS]

ps: IF I MOVE THE ITEMS INSTEAD OF COPY, WILL THE CONVERSION FROM ANSI TO
UNICODE STILL TAKE PLACE?
I WOULD LIKE TO USE MOVE INSTEAD OF COPY TO RETAIN THE ORIGINAL "LAST
MODIFIED DATES".
--
Thanks,
Tim

1) Can I convert the existing 97-2002 data files to 2003 format?

See http://slipstick.me/ansi for methods. When converting from ansi to
unicode, export is an acceptable option. It's not acceptable if you are
changing computers and keeping the same pst format.

2) What is the best way to transfer the existing profiles into the Outlook
program on the new computer?

Profiles are in the registry and don't copy well. Its best to make them from
scratch

3) If I copy just “outlook.pst†file will all components of my two
profiles
be transferred and will Outlook give me the selection of profiles when I
start Outlook?

Profiles are in the registry, not the pst.

4) Do I need to copy the “mailbox.pst†file?

Yes, if it belongs to one of your accounts.

5) Do I need to copy the “outlook.ost†file?

No. OST files are linked to the profile and won't work in a new one. It will
be rebuilt.

6) Do I need to set up the email accounts before or after I open the
copied
.pst(s) file?

Before. Add the pst to the profile before opening outlook.
See http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/2007_profile.htm

7) Does the outlook.pst file contain all profiles?

As answered in #3, no, it has nothing about your profile.

8) Does the outlook.pst file contain my MS Exchange Server email account?

No. Rewording the questions doesn't change the answer.

9) What is contained in the mailbox.pst file?

POP3 Mail, calendar and contacts. Open it and see...

10) What is contained in the outlook.ost file?

Exchange server mail, calendar, contacts.

11) What is contained in the mailbox.PAB file?

address book entries. These need imported into contacts.

12) Can I just copy the outlook.pst and mailbox.pst then open the new
outlook using the outlook.pst file? Yes.

13) Will these two files bring along my MS Exchange Server email account,
TCSIC No.

14) POP3 account, TCS POP3 account in addition to all other Outlook
objects/data?

Huh? If you mean is the account in the pst, the mail downloaded by the acct
is in the pst.

15) If I do not copy the Personal Folder.pst file will the duplicate
folders
go away?

Possibly. It depends on the cause of duplicates.

16) Will I lose any objects/data if I do not copy the Personal Folders.pst
file?

At 256KB , it should be empty.



--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Do you keep Outlook open 24/7? Vote in our poll:
http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=22205

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Only the pst files need to be transferred to the new PC.

You might want to transfer the autocompletion cache (NK2) file as well and the
signature files. The former is in %AppData%\Microsoft\Outlook and should be
named to match the mail profile name. The latter are in
%AppData%\Microsoft\Signatures.

The data contained in the Outlook profiles is wholly contained in the pst
files.
The profiles are saved in the registry.

These two seem to be at odds. Mail profiles are in the registry, but Outlook
data is not contained in the profile, it is contained in the PST. The mail
profile is then configured to use that PST.

Do not use the export/import feature provided in Outlook.

1. Install Outlook 2003 on the new computer and install all updates.
2. Using the mail setup from the old PC as a guide, set up ALL mail
accounts on the new machine by opening Control Panel/Mail/Mail Setup/E-Mail
Accounts.
3. Open OL2003 on the new machine a Unicode (2003) pst file will
automatically be created.
4. Leave Outlook open.
5. Copy the ANSI (97/2002) format pst file from the old PC (C:\Documents
and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook)
into
a temporary directory on the new PC.
6. Change the file name of the ANSI pst file to something other than
“outlook.pstâ€, different from the name of the newly created Unicode pst
file.

Not necessary if the PST is in another folder. Moreover, even if you do name
the file something else, the display name as Outlook presents it in the
Navigation Pane does not usually match the file name. Make sure people aren't
confused by seeing two "Personal Folders" folder trees.

7. Copy the differently named ANSI pst file to the outlook file directory
on the new PC (C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook).

No. There's no need for this. There's nothing magic about that folder.
Leave the PST in the temporary folder. It will also cause fewer problems in
your step 12.

8. From the Outlook menu, select File/Open and open the ANSI pst file. This
will display the ANSI profile’s folders in addition to the newly created
Unicode folders generated when Outlook was opened the first time.
Note: You cannot copy the folders themselves because you cannot have more
than one default folder of a particular name.

If there are any non-default folders in the ANSI PST (i.e., ones that the user
created), you can copy the entire folder. Only the default folders cannot be
copied.

WHAT IF THE ROOT FOLDERS ON THE NEW PC ARE NAMED “PERSONAL FOLDERS†AND THE
FOLDERS?

The root name of the PST (what I call the "display name" - the name displayed
in the Navigation Pane) is unimportant. If the folders within the PST have
names that match the default names, you can't copy the folder itself. In
other words, TCSIC's Inbox cannot be copied to "Personal Folders", since there
will already be an Inbox there and it is one of Outlook's default folders.

9. Open each of the folders in the ANSI profile, select all the items using
Ctrl-A, then copy the selection (either with right-click/Drag, Ctrl/Drag or
Edit>Copy to Folder) to the corresponding folder in the newly created
(Unicode) profile.
For the Calendar, you'll need to change the view to a table view like Events
or By Category in order for Ctrl-A to work.

Note: The conversion from ANSI to Unicode will happen in the copy process.

10. Using the mail setup from the old PC as a guide, set up Outlook Data
Files on the new machine by opening Control Panel/Mail/Mail Setup/Outlook
Data Files.
11. When you're done copying all the folders in the ANSI profile’s folders,
right-click the ANSI profile’s root and choose “Close†to remove it from the
mail profile.

AFTER I COPY THE ITEMS OR FOLDERS TO THE UNICODE FOLDERS AND CLOSE THE ANSI
PST FILE, CAN I DELETE THE ANSI PST FILE?

Yes, after you close Outlook. The data link to the ANSI PST won't be closed
until Outlook is closed.

12. Navigate to the Outlook file directory and delete the ANSI pst file.
13. If multiple pst files representing multiple profiles are being converted
and transferred to the new computer, follow the above steps for the
individual pst files and profile folders.
14. For multiple pst files and profiles folders, set up the subsequent
profile’s mail accounts and data files by opening Control
Panel/Mail/Profiles/Show Profiles/name/Properties.

IF I FIND THAT MY DATA/FOLDERS ARE CORRUPTED, CAN I UNINSTALL OUTLOOK FROM
THE NEW COMPUTER, DELETE ANY PST FILES AND START OVER WITH NO REMAINING
ARTIFACTS LEFT BEHIND TO RECORRUPT A NEW INSTALLATION?

If I understand what you're saying here, there's no need to uninstall Outlook
Just start with a new mail profile in Control Panel's Mail applet.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

ps: IF I MOVE THE ITEMS INSTEAD OF COPY, WILL THE CONVERSION FROM ANSI TO
UNICODE STILL TAKE PLACE?
I WOULD LIKE TO USE MOVE INSTEAD OF COPY TO RETAIN THE ORIGINAL "LAST
MODIFIED DATES".

Move should work as well, yes. I'm not convinced the modified date will
remain unchanged even with a move, though I've not specifically tried it.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

ps: IF I MOVE THE ITEMS INSTEAD OF COPY, WILL THE CONVERSION FROM ANSI TO
UNICODE STILL TAKE PLACE?
I WOULD LIKE TO USE MOVE INSTEAD OF COPY TO RETAIN THE ORIGINAL "LAST
MODIFIED DATES".

We can all see all of the posts, so there's no compelling need to post the
same reply to multiple people.

 

[TCS]

Thanks very much for your help. It seems everything went well.
--
Thanks,
Tim

1) Can I convert the existing 97-2002 data files to 2003 format?

See http://slipstick.me/ansi for methods. When converting from ansi to
unicode, export is an acceptable option. It's not acceptable if you are
changing computers and keeping the same pst format.

2) What is the best way to transfer the existing profiles into the Outlook
program on the new computer?

Profiles are in the registry and don't copy well. Its best to make them from
scratch

3) If I copy just “outlook.pst†file will all components of my two
profiles
be transferred and will Outlook give me the selection of profiles when I
start Outlook?

Profiles are in the registry, not the pst.

4) Do I need to copy the “mailbox.pst†file?

Yes, if it belongs to one of your accounts.

5) Do I need to copy the “outlook.ost†file?

No. OST files are linked to the profile and won't work in a new one. It will
be rebuilt.

6) Do I need to set up the email accounts before or after I open the
copied
.pst(s) file?

Before. Add the pst to the profile before opening outlook.
See http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/2007_profile.htm

7) Does the outlook.pst file contain all profiles?

As answered in #3, no, it has nothing about your profile.

8) Does the outlook.pst file contain my MS Exchange Server email account?

No. Rewording the questions doesn't change the answer.

9) What is contained in the mailbox.pst file?

POP3 Mail, calendar and contacts. Open it and see...

10) What is contained in the outlook.ost file?

Exchange server mail, calendar, contacts.

11) What is contained in the mailbox.PAB file?

address book entries. These need imported into contacts.

12) Can I just copy the outlook.pst and mailbox.pst then open the new
outlook using the outlook.pst file? Yes.

13) Will these two files bring along my MS Exchange Server email account,
TCSIC No.

14) POP3 account, TCS POP3 account in addition to all other Outlook
objects/data?

Huh? If you mean is the account in the pst, the mail downloaded by the acct
is in the pst.

15) If I do not copy the Personal Folder.pst file will the duplicate
folders
go away?

Possibly. It depends on the cause of duplicates.

16) Will I lose any objects/data if I do not copy the Personal Folders.pst
file?

At 256KB , it should be empty.



--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



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