Peter.R

Yes Paul, using the export/import functions of Windows Live Mail is an effective method of transferring WLMail to a new computer. But as Michael implied, you can also use Regedit* to export/import the registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail in order to easily restore your message rules, blocked and safe senders lists, signatures and settings.

However, I believe there is no need to export/import any other registry keys, such as the registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Account Manager Live if it exists. This key does not exist in either my XPSP3 OS or my Vista SP1 OS, with WLMail installed on both. The key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Account Manager exists on my XP machine, but it only refers to Contacts Directories such as VeriSign Internet Directory Service.

Another item that is useful to backup/restore is the 'Proof' folder within the Windows Live Mail Message Store in its *default* location. This will ensure you retain your custom and installed dictionaries.

Also, Export/import your feeds through Internet Explorer 7 (File->Import and Export...).

You can certainly copy your WLMail Message Store, and paste it into your second computer, as this will take care of your accounts, storage folders, and messages. And as a bonus, it will retain your Newsgroups and their messages intact and ready to use again.

There is a slight chance that a full recovery of the database will occur when one installs a backup of Windows Live Mail's Message Store. This will cause all messages to be placed within sub-folders of a folder named 'Recovered items' under Storage folders. But if that happens, just be patient until it completes, and then move your messages back to their original folders if need be, however, be aware that under some circumstances, messages still on your e-mail account's server will be re-downloaded.

However, there are more satisfactory solutions in the form of backup software.

'Windows Live Mail Backup' by Static Software (http://www.staticbackup.com/windows-live-mail-backup), has an option to backup/restore only the Message Store, or the relevant registry keys along with the Message Store. It will find a Message Store in a non-default location, but if you do have your WLMail Message Store in a non-default location, you should manually backup the 'Proof' folder at the default location as described above. The trial version of 'Windows Live Mail Backup' is fully functional.

'Genie Backup Manager' (http://www.genie-soft.com/) is an elite backup manager with an intuitive interface, which can backup Windows Live Mail whilst it is open. It has advanced scheduling functions, and a 'mirror' backup option. It also has a free plugin for Windows Live Mail 12x (http://www.genie-soft.com/Scripting/...&CategoryID=75). The plugin finds the Message Store in its default location, but if it is not in its default location, you can manually select it to back up. The trial version of 'Genie Backup Manager' is fully functional.
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*If one has a multi-line text signature (like mine below) recorded in WLMail itself (in Signatures [tab]->Edit Signature [section]->Text...), restoring such a signature with Regedit or Genie Backup Manager (not a problem with Windows Live Mail Backup) fails if that signature does not already exist in the registry. Consequently, WLMail will crash when the Signatures tab is opened then closed within WLMail's options. There are several workarounds for this problem, but the easiest one is simply to prevent this problem by having WLMail point to a text file (Signatures [tab]->Edit Signature [section]->File...) containing your text signature rather than enter the text into WLMail's Signatures tab 'Edit Signature' section.

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Cheers,
Peter.R
(Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 with Windows Live Mail 12.0.1606)
"There are more things in Heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." - Shakespeare
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"Michael Santovec" <michael_santovec@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:uEbxbh7tIHA.1240@xxxxxx