[SOLVED] How Do I Effectively Transfer Windows Live Mail: WLM -> WLM?

[novamaz]

How Do I Effectively Transfer Windows Live Mail: WLM ►WLM?

This thread started in the Windows Live Forum at How Do I Effectively Transfer Windows Live Mail: WLM ?WLM - Microsoft Community
It was suggested by ZigZag3143x (Wanikiya & Dyami ~ Team-ZigZag) that I might find my solution by coming here.

I am exporting the email folders from my old Windows 7 computer using Windows Live Mail Version 2011 (Build 15.4.3555.0308) and importing them to a new Windows 7 laptop using WLM Version 2011 (Build 15.4.3538.0513). Seems straightforward enough however not all my email nor folders came across. I do have a lot of email & folders, being somewhat of a packrat.

The Export/Import process gives me some of the Folders, with some of the emails, but it is all very messy ... and incomplete. Subfolders are erratic. I have looked around for answers but can’t find any.

I was able to get all of my Contacts (& Groups!) into WLM by (eventually) by using the online sync (instead of Exporting a CSV file, which only gave me A – L names), but it hasn’t been cooperative with my emails.

? = What do I do to get *all* of my email into WLM? Is there some sort of ‘sync’ with the Skydrive or WLMessenger I’m not aware of?

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Since then, I have tried the uninstalling of Windows Live Essentials ... but it didn't uninstall ... even though I applied MS Fixit to it a couple of dozen times (okay, that might've been too much, but the person suggesting it said to keep doing it until it was gone). I have since done a "critical fix" on WLE and thought I would come to this forum to see if there's any solutions.

FWIW: I have copied the WLM folders from both the old & new computers to discreet locations in anticipation of a solution that will allow me to go that route. Or ... perhaps I need to install Windows Essential 2012 in my new computer? Or would this be after finding a true solution?

 

[Tekno Venus]

Re: How Do I Effectively Transfer Windows Live Mail: WLM ►WLM?

Ok, first it's worth checking that Windows Live Essentials has completely uninstalled. I would recommend using Revo Uninstaller FREE as it didn't uninstall via Add/Remove programs. http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

If/when it has uninstalled, we'll try to do the migration.

Stephen

 

[writhziden]

Re: How Do I Effectively Transfer Windows Live Mail: WLM ►WLM?

If you use Revo Uninstaller, make sure to read through their manual prior to use. It can be a dangerous program if used incorrectly and can remove more than just the intended program leaving other programs or even Windows unusable.

If you would like a less risky alternative: Fix problems with programs that can't be installed or uninstalled


Sorry missed that you already did that. You could try removing it using the program ID instead. To get the program ID:

1. Open an elevated command prompt:
   Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
   
   Taken from http://support.microsoft.com​
   
   and type

   cd "%userprofile%\Documents"
   wmic PRODUCT list full /format:htable >0.html & start 0.html

2. Open the html file and search for Windows Live.
3. Find the Product ID associated with WLE,
4. and use that in the fix it to manually remove the software.

If you are unable to remove the WLE software that way, let me know, and I can provide further troubleshooting steps.

Info

NOTE: Your product code will not match the above. The above is just an example.

 

[Corrine]

Re: How Do I Effectively Transfer Windows Live Mail: WLM ►WLM?

I am also not a fan of Revo unless no other recourse works.

One possible route to consider is this solution provided by Microsoft Windows Live Mail MVP, Gregory (Winston) Natoli from here:

1. If one has access to old Messages store on the other machine
Vista/Win7: <drive>:\Users\<windows logon name>\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail
XP: <drive>\Documents and Settings\<windows logon name>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail
..then use WLM's option to File/Import/Messages by browsing to the above location

2. If the accounts were not saved/exported to an *.iaf file on the prior o/s-hard drive and available for import on the
Win7Pro64Bit.set the accounts up manually

3. WLM(Windows Live Mail) by design will perform a one time download of all messages in all folders for a Hotmail type account(when
using Pop3 for Hotmail). Setting up a non Hotmail account using Pop3 on fresh Win7/WLM (e.g. Earthlink) only downloaded the
available messages(new or marked as left on the server by another email client configuration).
3b. The registry is only applicable to the current o/s. Any registry settings would only be indicative of accounts existing on
Win7Pro64 unit.

--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

 

[jcgriff2]

Re: How Do I Effectively Transfer Windows Live Mail: WLM ►WLM?

#3 is what I have used for years.

Fresh OS install; installed Live, then added my MSN, Live, Hotmail email accounts; ALL email then downloaded from MS servers. I've never transferred files over.

 

[novamaz]

Re: How Do I Effectively Transfer Windows Live Mail: WLM ►WLM?

Today I went into the retailer to discuss returning the laptop, spoke to one of the salespeople there, he suggested doing a download of the new WLM and seeing where that took me. I agreed to give it a try. But not quite as prescribed:
Before finding, downloading and installing Windows Essential (with Live Mail 2012) I hard copied & placed the old computer's Live Mail File where the new one (albeit older WLM version) was in the C://user/your user name/appdata/local/microsoft/ folder.
BTW: This was first suggested by Wanikiya & Dyami, AKA Team-ZigZag :thumbs_up:
I had tried it initially, but going from an newer version to an older version seemed to have thwarted this approach.

~ Then I did as the salesperson requested: brought in a Microsoft download file <wlsetup-web.exe> which, when opening, took me to a window that gave me both a "family security" option to install and told me it would also upgrade all the WE programs I had, including Live Mail. I then went and had dinner (it wasn't going to take too long, but I was supposed to be somewhere).

When I came back later this evening, Windows Essentials was upgraded (Version 2012 ~ Build 16.4.3503.0728). I restarted (as per program request) and when I got back to my desktop, looked first on the taskbar for the WLM icon; not there. Then I looked in the Start Menu, and there it was. Dbl click, sign in, bingitty-bang, thar she blows ... all my emails, in their folders, just like the computer gods intended! I had to enter my password again when I got my email, but all went smoothly there too.

So, in this case, it was better to upgrade than to uninstall & reload. Windows simply wouldn't let me uninstall.
That's my experience. Hope this helps others.

Cheers to all that contributed to this solution. So much to learn ...

 

[Corrine]

Thank you for updating us with your solution, novamaz. I'm sure it will be helpful to someone else.

 

[Tekno Venus]

Well done! Glad you managed to fix it :)

I'll mark this thread as solved.

Stephen

 

[LilBambi]

That is a very slick way to trick Windows into accepting your data. I used to use the same trick in the old days with OE. Except you would install it and then exit without finishing the install. Put all your stuff in the area it created; and voila! Felt like Swallows putting their eggs in another bird's nest

Have done that across OSes with some minor variations with Mozilla Thunderbird as well.