Import messages from Outlook 2007: stalls on some messages

It may be due to the size of some attachments (around 2 MB), or due to the
total size of the pst file (around 2 GB), but Windows Live Mail stalls
completely on importing some messages from Outlook 2007 (I'm using it's
built-in Import function). Right now, it's spending over an hour on trying
to import just one message. (It did succesfully import a few folders before
stalling on this message.) Any suggestions on an alternative way to get
messages copied over from Outlook 2007 to Storage Folders in Windows Live
Mail?

Thanks.

 

Hi, ML.

Which operating system? WinXP Pro (32-bit) or Vista Ultimate x64 - or some
other? WLM runs on several different platforms, and so does Outlook 2007.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

 

This is on Vista Ultimate x64.

 

Any suggestions on this? --I won't be able to switch to WLM if I can't get
my messages from Outlook converted.

Thanks.

 

Hi, ML.

Have you asked the Outlook experts about this? There are over a dozen
Outlook newsgroups. You might start with microsoft.public.outlook.general.

I've dabbled with OL, but still am not really familiar with it. But it does
have an Export function: File | Import and Export | Export to a file.
Perhaps you could use this, but I'm not sure what happens after you get the
message into a file.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

 

I'll try asking there. Exporting to a file doesn't make a difference: it
would be exported to a pst file, which would have to be imported back to
Outlook for Windows Live Mail to be able to read and import it.

It turns out the size of the pst file doesn't matter: Windows Live Mail
simply refuses to import certain Outlook 2007 folders (freezes), and it's not
clear what the cause of the problem is. I've run into this with several
different folders now on different computers. Moreover, even when it can
import, it's extremely slow.

As much as I like Windows Live Mail, and it does work fairly well with IMAP
providers like Gmail, I can't use it if the import function from Outlook
won't work.

 

Is there a 'repair PST' function for OL2007 like there is for earlier
versions?
Others have had success in similar situations using a dogleg approach:
import into WM (or OE) and then from there to WLMail.

 

I can't import to WM because WM does not recognize the installation of
Outlook 2007 (although WLM does). WM gives a MAPI not installed error. This
is true on several pc's that I checked, all Vista x64.

I don't see a repair PST function, but there have been no Outlook errors
with the PST, and I've compacted and reimported in Outlook 2007 without any
issues.

 

ML,

Office 2007 with Outlook is my primary email client. I can export messages from OL07 to Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail, thus
Office may not be
functioning properly either due to an install problem or corruption.

If a repair/Diagnostics doesn't resolve the problem...You might have to set Outlook as the default email client to avoid the mapi
error
- Outlook/Tools/Options/Other

The repair function(available in OL03 and earlier) in Outlook 2007 is different than earlier versions..
- it is located --> Outlook/Help Menu/Office Diagnostics tool.
- Outlook Help can provide instructions(Outlook/Help/Microsoft Office Help)

Once OL is the default email client(verify in Vista's Programs and Defaults) and
Fyi...Both Windows Mail[WM] and Windows Live Mail[WLM] use the same basic approach(File/Import/Messages/Microsoft Outlook/(select a
path or
select a pst file)/select a folder or all folders/etc.
- Once imported they will appear in either WM or WLM in folder titled Imported Folder with subfolders of the same name as the
source folder(e.g. Inbox etc)


One last question...Is this a trial(online or provided by the OEM), OEM included Office 2007(non trial), or retail install of
Office 2007/Outlook ?

 

Thanks. These are all full retail installs of Outlook 2007, from Office
2007. (I think Outlook 2007 does not technically have an export function to
WLM or WM--but WLM does have an import function from Outlook.)

The problem is that, although most folders do import correctly in WLM,
albeit slowly, there are a few that do not import at all, and just hang the
computer. I did eventually go through all the repair steps, including
Diagnostics and scanpst.exe, and there is no error in the pst files that is
detected, and I have encountered this on different pc's with different pst
files. Outlook was set as the default email provider, yet there is still a
MAPI error with WM when WLM and Outlook are both installed. There is no MAPI
error in WLM or Outlook.

I am sticking with Outlook 2007 because of the WLM import failure.
(Although Outlook 2007 support for Gmail IMAP is unsatisfactory, there is a
temporary workaround for some of the issues (such as manual moving messages
to the Trash folder in order to delete).)

 

You're welcome..
Correct- Outlook does not export to WLM or WM.

Another alternative to messages that won't import with the WLM and WM interface from Outlook 2007
- Open OL2007 message, File/Save As, save as text file, rename the file from *.txt to *.eml, then drag into WLM or WM in the
corresponding email account.(it might be wise to create identical folder names in WLM or WM email account in advance to make
organization easier)

- The renamed file(txt to eml) does not have to be dragged into WLM or WM, it can reside in a Windows Explorer folder and still be
opened with WLM or WM as long as the Vista's Program and Defaults for WLM or WM is set to handle *.eml files.

One can also save group of OL messages in single text file, rename and drag into WLM or WM or Windows Explorer folder
- not the cleanest since messages will appear in sequential order(one right after the other)..but (lol) it can be done.

Good luck on whatever path you choose

Outlook 2007, you may find, in the long run, provides some other beneficial features not available in WLM or WM, as it well should
for its price tag.

--
...winston
ms-mvp windows live mail