Restoring the Windows Address Book is possible only if it has been previously backed up. The standard extension for files in the address book itself is WAB, and for mail folders - MBX. To create an archive, you will need to create new folders with these extensions.
Instructions
Step 1
Shut down Outlook Express.
Step 2
Create a new (or use an existing) folder with the WAB extension.
Step 3
Enter the main menu "Start" and, using the "Find" section, select "Files and folders" to search for the address book files.
Step 4
Enter *.wab in the "Name" line and click the "Find" button.
Step 5
Select a file that looks like username.wab, where username is the name or alias of the Outlook Express user.
Step 6
Copy the found file to the folder you created earlier.
Step 7
Create a new folder (or use an existing one) with the MBX extension.
Step 8
Repeat the steps listed in step 3 and enter the value *.mbx in the "Find" field.
Step 9
Copy all found files to the folder you created earlier. For correct display of Outlook Express messages, it is necessary to create copies of all files not only with the *.mbx extension, but also *.idx.
The same procedure is used to restore the address book and mail folders.
Step 10
Quit Outlook Express.
Step 11
Go to the main Start menu and select Files and Folders under Find.
Step 12
Enter the value *.wab in the search bar and click the "Find" button.
Step 13
Create a copy of the found file, of the form username.wab, to the address book folder.
Step 14
Repeat the steps in step 10.
Step 15
Enter the value *.mbx in the search bar.
Step 16
Select the C: / drive in the drop-down menu of the "Where to search" section and uncheck the box next to "Include subfolders".
Step 17
Click the Find button and make sure you understand the folder path shown in the Folder column. Finish Search Results.
Step 18
Go to the Start menu and select Windows Explorer under Programs.
Step 19
Navigate to the previously found folder using Windows Explorer.
Step 20
Rename the files Inbox.idx, Inbox.mbx and Folders.nch arbitrarily.
21
Navigate to the zipped MBX file folder in Windows Explorer and make a copy of the Inbox.mbx file.
22
Paste the copied file into the folder containing the previously renamed mail folder files using the Paste field in the Windows Explorer Edit menu.
23
Close Windows Explorer and open Outlook Express.
The address book has been restored.
