HELP-need to get outlook files off computer

[vikiplayz]

Hi

This is my first post to the forum but it is a cry for help.I want to reinstall windows on my dad's laptop because its so slow but i don't want to risk deleting the outlook files which have extremely important mails on them.

So i want to transfer them to an external drive ,then reinstall windows and then just move them back.It is outlook 2008 cause the new ones are toooooooooooo expensive.I need a way to get the files and then a way to get outlook to detect them as mails to just stick back into the inbox ect when it is reinstalled.

Thanks for helping me out guys. 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

Welcome to the Forums!

 

These resources from Microsoft should be able to help you.

 

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Back-up-Outlook-data-with-the-Microsoft-Outlook-Personal-Folders-Backup-tool-7ef27bac-6088-4f03-a9f7-34165d885883

 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/287070

[bgibbz]

I havent done this in a bit and im not at my computer so i will try to explain it from memory -

 

On the top left, click file-> export. There should be a backup option. Backup to a flash drive. On the new install, go to file -> import and import the backup. That should be all there is too it. This hasnt always worked for me however. If the emails are very important, consider running something like tronscript to clean up the computer rather than fresh installing. 

[vikiplayz]

All right thanks a TON and that was like REALLY quick.