Backing Up WLM 2012 Prior To Clean Installation

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 38
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #1

    Backing Up WLM 2012 Prior To Clean Installation Of Windows 10 Pro


    I did the upgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate to Windows 10 Pro. Privacy concerns aside, I like Windows 10. I haven't had any problems with software and hardware compatibility. I use 27 different email accounts within WLM 2012, for a variety of reasons. Many of these email accounts have additional folders that I have added. The accounts consist of sbcglobal.net, live.com, msn.com, outlook.com and windowslive.com.

    I'm using a Dell XPS-17 L702X laptop with two 500GB internal drives. I will place the WLM 2012 backup on my second internal drive, Drive D. I need to know exactly how to backup WLM to this second drive so that I don't lose any saved emails in the various accounts. I will then import everything from this backup to the clean installation of Windows 10. Is this possible, or will I have to install WLM 2012 on Windows 10 and then add and configure each email account?

    Thank you in advance for your time and any assistance provided.
    Last edited by Sichuan; 27 Sep 2015 at 13:55.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #2

    With Windows Mail Live, everything is stored in: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail.
    Just copy the whole folder to your other drive. In addition, export your contacts to .csv file so you can later import it.

    Install Windows 10 then install Windows Live mail 2012. You have 2 choices:
    1. Copy the folder back to the original location and run Windows Mail
    2. Or you can open Windows Live Mail, do not create any account. File->Options->Mail->Advanced->Maintenance->Store Folder and change it to the location on the other drive. This is what I do with mine to separate my mails from Windows OS so I don't have to worry about losing mails if anything goes wrong with Windows OS. In addition, The same folder can be used with other OS such as Windows 7/8. and everything is in sync no matter what OS I boot from.
    3. Import your contacts from cvs file.
    4. Once done, just open the Windows Live Mail then everything should be there as it was before.
    Last edited by topgundcp; 27 Sep 2015 at 15:05. Reason: Added more info
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 38
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    topgundcp said:
    With Windows Mail Live, everything is stored in: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail.
    Thank you, topgun, for your prompt and informative reply. I have a problem. AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail doesn't exist under my User Account, although the listing is present in my wife's User Account. The AppData file was present under my User Account in the past because I've been to it more times than I can count. I don't know why it disappeared.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #4

    topgundcp covered the process - here's how I backup/restore/update WLM

    The real differences between topgundcp and my approach are Contracts and Rules. I juts copy the Windows Live folder to 'backup' my contacts, then copy it back when I need to restore contacts (no export/import). WLM Rules are stored in the registry [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\Rules]

    %LocalAppData% is the environment variable that takes you to C:\Users\Your_Login_Name\AppData\Local
    - it's just shorter than %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local but they all get you to the same location

    1. Navigate to %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\

    2. Copy two WLM folders to an external drive

      folder 1: Windows Live
      This folder contains your contacts, no need to export/import, just copy the entire folder

      folder 2: Windows Live Mail
      This folder contains your Mail account information and your message Store. It also holds your RSS and News information.

    3. Export WLM Rules from the registry
      reg export "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\Rules" %Temp%\wlmRules.reg
      copy %Temp%\wlmRules.reg to an external drive

    4. Upgrade to Windows 10, Windows Live Essentials Mail should carry over.


    If WLM does NOT carry over after the upgrade

    1. Make sure .NET 3.5 is turned on
      Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features on or off > .NET 3.5
      - restart required

    2. Download and install WLM 2012

    3. Launch WLM to set up the default locations.
      1. Don't add any accounts - just let it set up the default locations.
      2. Close WLM

    4. Rename WLM folders
      1. Navigate to %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\
      2. ren "Windows Live Mail" "x-Windows Live Mail"
      3. ren "Windows Live" "x-Windows Live"

    5. Restore your backup copies of the folders
      1. Copy the "Windows Live Mail" to %LocalAppData%\Microsoft
        -- or follow topgundcp's instructions to use the WLM message store in a different location.
      2. Copy the "Windows Live" folder to %LocalAppData%\Microsoft

    6. Merge the reg file, wlmRules.reg into the registry.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #5

    1. Did you by any chance relocate the "Store Folder" in the past. From Windows Live Mail, from the file menu, go to:
      File->Options->Mail->Advanced->Maintenance->Store Folder
      Should tell you where the Mails, Accounts etc... are stored.
    2. Are you logging in with MS Account ? if so, switch to local account to see if it's there.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #6

    Sichuan said:
    Thank you, topgun, for your prompt and informative reply. I have a problem. AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail doesn't exist under my User Account, although the listing is present in my wife's User Account. The AppData file was present under my User Account in the past because I've been to it more times than I can count. I don't know why it disappeared.
    Maybe a move instead of a copy at some point. Check
    File->Options->Mail->Advanced->Maintenance->Store Folder
    to see where WLM thinks it should be located.

    If it's not in that location, search for Windows Live Mail kind:=folder
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 38
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Slartybart said:
    topgundcp covered the process - here's how I backup/restore/update WLM

    %LocalAppData% is the environment variable that takes you to C:\Users\Your_Login_Name\AppData\Local
    - it's just shorter than %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local but they all get you to the same location

    1. Navigate to %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\
    2. Copy two WLM folders to an external drive

      folder 1: Windows Live
      This folder contains your contacts, no need to export/import, just copy the entire folder

      folder 2: Windows Live Mail
      This folder contains your Mail account information and your message Store. It also holds your RSS and News information.

    Thank you for the reply, Slartybart. I was finally able to track down the AppData folder using %LocalAppData%. However, there are no files or folders in AppData for either Windows Live or Windows Live Mail. I always show "hidden files and folders" but I'm unable to check that since my Folders icon seems to be missing in Control Panel. It seems that I'm out of luck since I can't find any folders for Windows Live Mail, even when I search through Program Files (x86) on my C Drive.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 38
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Slartybart said:
    Maybe a move instead of a copy at some point. Check
    File->Options->Mail->Advanced->Maintenance->Store Folder
    to see where WLM thinks it should be located.

    If it's not in that location, search for Windows Live Mail kind:=folder
    Thanks again, Slartybart. It shows as being located at C:\Users\CB\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail but as I previously stated there are no Windows Live or Windows Live Mail files or folders listed there. I do appreciate your assistance. I'm currently trying to track down where my Folders icon in Control Panel went.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 38
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    topgundcp said:
    1. Did you by any chance relocate the "Store Folder" in the past. From Windows Live Mail, from the file menu, go to:
      File->Options->Mail->Advanced->Maintenance->Store Folder
      Should tell you where the Mails, Accounts etc... are stored.
    2. Are you logging in with MS Account ? if so, switch to local account to see if it's there.
    Hello again, topgun. I've never moved or copied the Store Folder. My problem seems to be that ever since the Windows 10 Pro upgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate I'm missing any and all Windows Live and Windows Live Mail folders and the Folders icon in Control Panel. I'm currently trying to track down my "Folders".
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 38
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Well, I was able to get to my Folders options and sure enough, "Don't show hidden files, folders and drives" was selected. I changed the setting to show these items but there are no folders for either Windows Live or Windows Live Mail. I thank you for your time and assistance. Since I have no email "Store" I guess I have nothing to back up.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 00:06.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums