Microsoft Outlook

From Luke Jackson

Permanently Delete IMAP eMails

When using IMAP your eMails are stored on the SMTP server rather than on your local disk. Because of this you when you delete a message, it still displays the message but puts a line through it. It will remain on the server until they are “purged,” taking up space and viewable in other clients (such as webmail).

To permanently remove your deleted emails, choose Edit > Purge Deleted Messages.

To add the Purge Deleted Messages button to your Outlook toolbar

1. Choose View | Toolbars > Customize…
2. Choose the Commands tab and click on the Edit Category.
3. Scroll down the commands list and select Purge Deleted Messages.

Export eMail Account Data

All of the account data is stored in the registry. To export this data simple export to file the following registry key.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Outlook

To import these account settings on a new machine simple merge the registry file with the active registry and relaunch Outlook.

Note: It may be necessary to restart Outlook once again in order for it to update internal linking correctly.

Export eMail Data

All of the eMail data for Outlook is stored in two folders under your profile:

\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

and

\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

To import this data into a new Outlook installation simply launch Outlook after a fresh install and DO NO configure an email address BUT finish the wizard. It will go through created a .dat file and generating a welcome message. Once this is completed exit out look.

Browse to the folder paths listed above and remove and files that were created by Outlook. Now copy your original files into these folders and relaunch outlook. If you are alerted that your .dat file can not be found simply click ok and it will allow you to browse and locate it.

Note: You can also use this method to change the location of your .dat file.

Note: It may be necessary to restart Outlook in order for it to update internal linking correctly.