Vista - Change Location of Mail Folders

How do I change the location of mail folders?

For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on an external
hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on this disc so
that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I am an
inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating system and
was up and running in no time.

Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE messages and
they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of the folder
to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the system
yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I then discovered
that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my inbox and sent
box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages on my
external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is lost
whenever I have to format the drive?

If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could get round it
by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right folders as
soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose of having
them in the first place.

You changed the location of which folder?
Store Folder?

The problem you describe occurs when the changed store folder location is
not accessible and WM automatically changes back to the default store folder
location.
--
Ronald Sommer

"Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ECFCC173-812E-436C-AF8D-7D77F0BBC183@microsoft.com...
: How do I change the location of mail folders?
:
: For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on an external
: hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on this disc so
: that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I am an
: inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating system and
: was up and running in no time.
:
: Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE messages and
: they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of the
folder
: to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the system
: yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I then
discovered
: that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my inbox and sent
: box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages on my
: external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is lost
: whenever I have to format the drive?
:
: If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could get round it
: by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right folders as
: soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose of having
: them in the first place.

How did you change the location of Imported Folder? (I haven't imported old
messages so I don't have this folder)

To change the location of your Local Folders group & any newsgroup messages,
use:

Tools -> Options -> 'Advanced' tab -> 'Maintenance...' button -> 'Store
Folder...' button.


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

"Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ECFCC173-812E-436C-AF8D-7D77F0BBC183@microsoft.com...
> How do I change the location of mail folders?
>
> For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on an external
> hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on this disc so
> that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I am an
> inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating system and
> was up and running in no time.
>
> Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE messages and
> they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of the
> folder
> to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the system
> yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I then
> discovered
> that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my inbox and sent
> box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages on my
> external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is lost
> whenever I have to format the drive?
>
> If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could get round it
> by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right folders as
> soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose of having
> them in the first place.

It was the store folder and I changed it the way set out by Keith.

Thanks for the information. I switched off the external disc and then tried
to load Windows Mail. It would not load because it could not find Contacts
and I got the usual other two error messages. I then switched the disc back
on and checked the location of the store. As you said, it had changed to the
default location. So I just changed it back and all I have to remember to do
now is turn on the external disc before loading Windows Mail.

The option is to change the software which makes it go to default in the
first place. Can this be done easily or should I just rely on my
rapidly-fading memory?

Many thanks.

"Ron Sommer" wrote:

> You changed the location of which folder?
> Store Folder?
>
> The problem you describe occurs when the changed store folder location is
> not accessible and WM automatically changes back to the default store folder
> location.
> --
> Ronald Sommer
>
> "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:ECFCC173-812E-436C-AF8D-7D77F0BBC183@microsoft.com...
> : How do I change the location of mail folders?
> :
> : For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on an external
> : hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on this disc so
> : that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I am an
> : inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating system and
> : was up and running in no time.
> :
> : Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE messages and
> : they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of the
> folder
> : to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the system
> : yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I then
> discovered
> : that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my inbox and sent
> : box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages on my
> : external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is lost
> : whenever I have to format the drive?
> :
> : If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could get round it
> : by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right folders as
> : soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose of having
> : them in the first place.
>
>

You can't stop Win Mail from changing to the default location when the store
folder is not available.

What you can do is export the Registry key that contains the store folder
location.
If you have the store folder location changed to the default, import the
exported key, turn on the external drive, and start Win Mail.
http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#wm
Look for "Store Root" key.
--
Ronald Sommer

"Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:611560D9-2616-4F1F-9160-5F17221F2768@microsoft.com...
: It was the store folder and I changed it the way set out by Keith.
:
: Thanks for the information. I switched off the external disc and then
tried
: to load Windows Mail. It would not load because it could not find Contacts
: and I got the usual other two error messages. I then switched the disc
back
: on and checked the location of the store. As you said, it had changed to
the
: default location. So I just changed it back and all I have to remember to
do
: now is turn on the external disc before loading Windows Mail.
:
: The option is to change the software which makes it go to default in the
: first place. Can this be done easily or should I just rely on my
: rapidly-fading memory?
:
: Many thanks.
:
: "Ron Sommer" wrote:
:
: > You changed the location of which folder?
: > Store Folder?
: >
: > The problem you describe occurs when the changed store folder location
is
: > not accessible and WM automatically changes back to the default store
folder
: > location.
: > --
: > Ronald Sommer
: >
: > "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
: > news:ECFCC173-812E-436C-AF8D-7D77F0BBC183@microsoft.com...
: > : How do I change the location of mail folders?
: > :
: > : For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on an
external
: > : hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on this
disc so
: > : that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I am an
: > : inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating system
and
: > : was up and running in no time.
: > :
: > : Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE messages
and
: > : they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of the
: > folder
: > : to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the system
: > : yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I then
: > discovered
: > : that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my inbox and
sent
: > : box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages on my
: > : external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is lost
: > : whenever I have to format the drive?
: > :
: > : If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could get
round it
: > : by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right
folders as
: > : soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose of
having
: > : them in the first place.
: >
: >

Database is hardcoded with the pathlist as well.


"Ron Sommer" <rsommer@nospam.ktis.net> wrote in message
news:OKCAmLkeHHA.4916@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> You can't stop Win Mail from changing to the default location when the
> store
> folder is not available.
>
> What you can do is export the Registry key that contains the store folder
> location.
> If you have the store folder location changed to the default, import the
> exported key, turn on the external drive, and start Win Mail.
> http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#wm
> Look for "Store Root" key.
> --
> Ronald Sommer
>
> "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:611560D9-2616-4F1F-9160-5F17221F2768@microsoft.com...
> : It was the store folder and I changed it the way set out by Keith.
> :
> : Thanks for the information. I switched off the external disc and then
> tried
> : to load Windows Mail. It would not load because it could not find
> Contacts
> : and I got the usual other two error messages. I then switched the disc
> back
> : on and checked the location of the store. As you said, it had changed to
> the
> : default location. So I just changed it back and all I have to remember
> to
> do
> : now is turn on the external disc before loading Windows Mail.
> :
> : The option is to change the software which makes it go to default in the
> : first place. Can this be done easily or should I just rely on my
> : rapidly-fading memory?
> :
> : Many thanks.
> :
> : "Ron Sommer" wrote:
> :
> : > You changed the location of which folder?
> : > Store Folder?
> : >
> : > The problem you describe occurs when the changed store folder location
> is
> : > not accessible and WM automatically changes back to the default store
> folder
> : > location.
> : > --
> : > Ronald Sommer
> : >
> : > "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> : > news:ECFCC173-812E-436C-AF8D-7D77F0BBC183@microsoft.com...
> : > : How do I change the location of mail folders?
> : > :
> : > : For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on an
> external
> : > : hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on this
> disc so
> : > : that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I am
> an
> : > : inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating
> system
> and
> : > : was up and running in no time.
> : > :
> : > : Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE
> messages
> and
> : > : they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of the
> : > folder
> : > : to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the
> system
> : > : yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I then
> : > discovered
> : > : that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my inbox
> and
> sent
> : > : box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages on
> my
> : > : external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is
> lost
> : > : whenever I have to format the drive?
> : > :
> : > : If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could get
> round it
> : > : by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right
> folders as
> : > : soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose of
> having
> : > : them in the first place.
> : >
> : >
>

Well, then that means 'do not start Win Mail without having the external
drive started'.
--
Ronald Sommer

"DGuess" <majik@mindspring.oops> wrote in message
news:OyBn9ikeHHA.3956@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
: Database is hardcoded with the pathlist as well.
:
:
: "Ron Sommer" <rsommer@nospam.ktis.net> wrote in message
: news:OKCAmLkeHHA.4916@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
: > You can't stop Win Mail from changing to the default location when the
: > store
: > folder is not available.
: >
: > What you can do is export the Registry key that contains the store
folder
: > location.
: > If you have the store folder location changed to the default, import the
: > exported key, turn on the external drive, and start Win Mail.
: > http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#wm
: > Look for "Store Root" key.
: > --
: > Ronald Sommer
: >
: > "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
: > news:611560D9-2616-4F1F-9160-5F17221F2768@microsoft.com...
: > : It was the store folder and I changed it the way set out by Keith.
: > :
: > : Thanks for the information. I switched off the external disc and then
: > tried
: > : to load Windows Mail. It would not load because it could not find
: > Contacts
: > : and I got the usual other two error messages. I then switched the disc
: > back
: > : on and checked the location of the store. As you said, it had changed
to
: > the
: > : default location. So I just changed it back and all I have to remember
: > to
: > do
: > : now is turn on the external disc before loading Windows Mail.
: > :
: > : The option is to change the software which makes it go to default in
the
: > : first place. Can this be done easily or should I just rely on my
: > : rapidly-fading memory?
: > :
: > : Many thanks.
: > :
: > : "Ron Sommer" wrote:
: > :
: > : > You changed the location of which folder?
: > : > Store Folder?
: > : >
: > : > The problem you describe occurs when the changed store folder
location
: > is
: > : > not accessible and WM automatically changes back to the default
store
: > folder
: > : > location.
: > : > --
: > : > Ronald Sommer
: > : >
: > : > "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
: > : > news:ECFCC173-812E-436C-AF8D-7D77F0BBC183@microsoft.com...
: > : > : How do I change the location of mail folders?
: > : > :
: > : > : For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on an
: > external
: > : > : hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on this
: > disc so
: > : > : that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I
am
: > an
: > : > : inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating
: > system
: > and
: > : > : was up and running in no time.
: > : > :
: > : > : Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE
: > messages
: > and
: > : > : they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of
the
: > : > folder
: > : > : to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the
: > system
: > : > : yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I then
: > : > discovered
: > : > : that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my inbox
: > and
: > sent
: > : > : box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages
on
: > my
: > : > : external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is
: > lost
: > : > : whenever I have to format the drive?
: > : > :
: > : > : If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could get
: > round it
: > : > : by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right
: > folders as
: > : > : soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose
of
: > having
: > : > : them in the first place.
: > : >
: > : >
: >
:

Would seem so. I remember Steve going thru the db and finding it was
hardcoded. Objections were raised.

"Ron Sommer" <rsommer@nospam.ktis.net> wrote in message
news:eI6NKKleHHA.1244@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Well, then that means 'do not start Win Mail without having the external
> drive started'.
> --
> Ronald Sommer
>
> "DGuess" <majik@mindspring.oops> wrote in message
> news:OyBn9ikeHHA.3956@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> : Database is hardcoded with the pathlist as well.
> :
> :
> : "Ron Sommer" <rsommer@nospam.ktis.net> wrote in message
> : news:OKCAmLkeHHA.4916@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> : > You can't stop Win Mail from changing to the default location when the
> : > store
> : > folder is not available.
> : >
> : > What you can do is export the Registry key that contains the store
> folder
> : > location.
> : > If you have the store folder location changed to the default, import
> the
> : > exported key, turn on the external drive, and start Win Mail.
> : > http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#wm
> : > Look for "Store Root" key.
> : > --
> : > Ronald Sommer
> : >
> : > "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> : > news:611560D9-2616-4F1F-9160-5F17221F2768@microsoft.com...
> : > : It was the store folder and I changed it the way set out by Keith.
> : > :
> : > : Thanks for the information. I switched off the external disc and
> then
> : > tried
> : > : to load Windows Mail. It would not load because it could not find
> : > Contacts
> : > : and I got the usual other two error messages. I then switched the
> disc
> : > back
> : > : on and checked the location of the store. As you said, it had
> changed
> to
> : > the
> : > : default location. So I just changed it back and all I have to
> remember
> : > to
> : > do
> : > : now is turn on the external disc before loading Windows Mail.
> : > :
> : > : The option is to change the software which makes it go to default in
> the
> : > : first place. Can this be done easily or should I just rely on my
> : > : rapidly-fading memory?
> : > :
> : > : Many thanks.
> : > :
> : > : "Ron Sommer" wrote:
> : > :
> : > : > You changed the location of which folder?
> : > : > Store Folder?
> : > : >
> : > : > The problem you describe occurs when the changed store folder
> location
> : > is
> : > : > not accessible and WM automatically changes back to the default
> store
> : > folder
> : > : > location.
> : > : > --
> : > : > Ronald Sommer
> : > : >
> : > : > "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> : > : > news:ECFCC173-812E-436C-AF8D-7D77F0BBC183@microsoft.com...
> : > : > : How do I change the location of mail folders?
> : > : > :
> : > : > : For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on
> an
> : > external
> : > : > : hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on
> this
> : > disc so
> : > : > : that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I
> am
> : > an
> : > : > : inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating
> : > system
> : > and
> : > : > : was up and running in no time.
> : > : > :
> : > : > : Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE
> : > messages
> : > and
> : > : > : they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of
> the
> : > : > folder
> : > : > : to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the
> : > system
> : > : > : yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I
> then
> : > : > discovered
> : > : > : that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my
> inbox
> : > and
> : > sent
> : > : > : box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages
> on
> : > my
> : > : > : external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is
> : > lost
> : > : > : whenever I have to format the drive?
> : > : > :
> : > : > : If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could
> get
> : > round it
> : > : > : by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right
> : > folders as
> : > : > : soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose
> of
> : > having
> : > : > : them in the first place.
> : > : >
> : > : >
> : >
> :
>

Yes. If you (general you) start it with the drive disconnected, then
WinMail will not find the message store location, so then it sets it all up
in the default location. OE was the same.

So if you take the chance of message loss by putting the message store on a
removable drive, then you better not remove that drive if WinMail is running
or before it starts.

steve

"Ron Sommer" <rsommer@nospam.ktis.net> wrote in message
news:eI6NKKleHHA.1244@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Well, then that means 'do not start Win Mail without having the external
> drive started'.
> --
> Ronald Sommer
>
> "DGuess" <majik@mindspring.oops> wrote in message
> news:OyBn9ikeHHA.3956@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> : Database is hardcoded with the pathlist as well.
> :
> :
> : "Ron Sommer" <rsommer@nospam.ktis.net> wrote in message
> : news:OKCAmLkeHHA.4916@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> : > You can't stop Win Mail from changing to the default location when the
> : > store
> : > folder is not available.
> : >
> : > What you can do is export the Registry key that contains the store
> folder
> : > location.
> : > If you have the store folder location changed to the default, import
> the
> : > exported key, turn on the external drive, and start Win Mail.
> : > http://www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx#wm
> : > Look for "Store Root" key.
> : > --
> : > Ronald Sommer
> : >
> : > "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> : > news:611560D9-2616-4F1F-9160-5F17221F2768@microsoft.com...
> : > : It was the store folder and I changed it the way set out by Keith.
> : > :
> : > : Thanks for the information. I switched off the external disc and
> then
> : > tried
> : > : to load Windows Mail. It would not load because it could not find
> : > Contacts
> : > : and I got the usual other two error messages. I then switched the
> disc
> : > back
> : > : on and checked the location of the store. As you said, it had
> changed
> to
> : > the
> : > : default location. So I just changed it back and all I have to
> remember
> : > to
> : > do
> : > : now is turn on the external disc before loading Windows Mail.
> : > :
> : > : The option is to change the software which makes it go to default in
> the
> : > : first place. Can this be done easily or should I just rely on my
> : > : rapidly-fading memory?
> : > :
> : > : Many thanks.
> : > :
> : > : "Ron Sommer" wrote:
> : > :
> : > : > You changed the location of which folder?
> : > : > Store Folder?
> : > : >
> : > : > The problem you describe occurs when the changed store folder
> location
> : > is
> : > : > not accessible and WM automatically changes back to the default
> store
> : > folder
> : > : > location.
> : > : > --
> : > : > Ronald Sommer
> : > : >
> : > : > "Charjaco" <Charjaco@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> : > : > news:ECFCC173-812E-436C-AF8D-7D77F0BBC183@microsoft.com...
> : > : > : How do I change the location of mail folders?
> : > : > :
> : > : > : For many years, using Outlook Express, I stored my messages on
> an
> : > external
> : > : > : hard disc. I also kept my Favourites and all my data files on
> this
> : > disc so
> : > : > : that whenever the computer died, and it did this a lot because I
> am
> : > an
> : > : > : inveterate tinkerer, I just loaded in an image of the operating
> : > system
> : > and
> : > : > : was up and running in no time.
> : > : > :
> : > : > : Windows Mail seems to be different. I loaded in all my old OE
> : > messages
> : > and
> : > : > : they now appear in an Imported Folder. I changed the location of
> the
> : > : > folder
> : > : > : to my external disc and had no problems. However, I crashed the
> : > system
> : > : > : yesterday and loaded in an image that was about a week old. I
> then
> : > : > discovered
> : > : > : that I had lost a week's worth of messages which were in my
> inbox
> : > and
> : > sent
> : > : > : box. Does this mean that Windows Mail only keeps stored messages
> on
> : > my
> : > : > : external disc and that anything left in the inbox or sent box is
> : > lost
> : > : > : whenever I have to format the drive?
> : > : > :
> : > : > : If so, does anybody know how to avoid this? I suppose I could
> get
> : > round it
> : > : > : by putting all messages in my inbox and sent box into the right
> : > folders as
> : > : > : soon as they are dealt with but this rather destroys the purpose
> of
> : > having
> : > : > : them in the first place.
> : > : >
> : > : >
> : >
> :
>