Backup and Restore

For me, one of the biggest advantages of Windows Live is that it runs on
both my XP desktop and my Vista laptop. But I have not figured out an easy
way to backup from my desktop (primary computer) and restore the identical
data to my laptop. For general backup purposes I copy the entire Windows
Live Mail folder from my desktop to an external drive. Maybe there is an
easier way to backup, but I haven't figured it out. Then I tried to import
the messages from that backup folder to my laptop. When I do that, the
messages are all put into storage folders rather than into the main folders
on my laptop. And it didn't import the contacts. I want to be able to copy
my inbox (et al.) from my desktop to the inbox on my laptop. Is there an
easy way to do this? Can I simply replace a folder on the laptop (where is
it?) with the Windows Live Mail folder from my desktop?

Imo, to move the entire contents from an existing machine to another so that
WLM will be a mirror of the other when through... I've always had the best
success when the destination machine's WLM is void of all accounts.(see note
at end).

Source machine:
Export all account settings for Mail and News
- Tools/Accounts/Export (select each account and export as a *.iaf file to
folder created by Windows Explorer)
Export all messages
- File/Export/Messages (Select all folders when prompted, and export to a
required blank folder(not the same folder as above).
----
You should end up with two folders..one containing the accounts and one
containing the messages in subfolders for each account.
Copy it to a jump drive, external drive or networked drive that can be
connected or accessed on the destination machine
-----
Destination Machine:
Open WLM
Remove all accounts(mail and news) if not already done
- Note: if you need to save something, first drag(it/them) to a user
created folder under storage folders or in a Windows Explorer folder
With WLM now void of all accounts
Import each account (Tools/Accounts/Import) - you'll have a all mail
accounts and news servers setup.
Import Messages (File/import/Messages)
--

Oh yes, that note from above..email accounts that are http/Live ID with
live.com, hotmail.com or msn.com and where messages are in folders mirrored
on the Msn server, then those messages should be available on the
destination machine(post account create or import) and not require
export/import.


...winston
ms-mvp windows live mail


"Bob" <boboaks@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:dUrsj.5905$xq2.586@xxxxxx
For me, one of the biggest advantages of Windows Live is that it runs on
both my XP desktop and my Vista laptop. But I have not figured out an easy
way to backup from my desktop (primary computer) and restore the identical
data to my laptop. For general backup purposes I copy the entire Windows
Live Mail folder from my desktop to an external drive. Maybe there is an
easier way to backup, but I haven't figured it out. Then I tried to import
the messages from that backup folder to my laptop. When I do that, the
messages are all put into storage folders rather than into the main folders
on my laptop. And it didn't import the contacts. I want to be able to copy
my inbox (et al.) from my desktop to the inbox on my laptop. Is there an
easy way to do this? Can I simply replace a folder on the laptop (where is
it?) with the Windows Live Mail folder from my desktop?