Saving email in a convenient format (text?) for future use.

[Jimu Rozu]

I would like to store Outlook email messages in a convenient format (text?)
that will be readable and retrievable many years into the future. Is there
an easy way to convert all my old HTML messages to this new format? Can I
use my Windows XP program for this purpose or is there a better program for
handling storage and retrieval of messages?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I would like to store Outlook email messages in a convenient format (text?)
that will be readable and retrievable many years into the future. Is
there
an easy way to convert all my old HTML messages to this new format? Can I
use my Windows XP program for this purpose or is there a better program
for
handling storage and retrieval of messages?

There's no way to guarantee that any format you choose today will be viable
even five years from now. However, Plain Text is a likely candidate (but
who knows on media will be extant at the time). There should be message
extractors available that Google will find for you.