reverting xp outlook express taking mail archive back

I like Vista and I have enjoyed testing it, but right now it's just too slow on my system for productive use.
So I want to revert to XP, but need to take my mail archive with me. I have an existing OE archive built with Express Assist 7 that will take me back to where I was before I installed Vista, but obviously that archive does not contain emails I sent and received over the last few weeks. Is there a simple method for archiving Windows Mail files and reimporting them into Outlook Express? I know the files are of a different format, hence I am asking now before I reinstall XP.
I could email the important files to me, or maybe my gMail account before I do the upgrade so I know I won't lose everything, but I'd prefer an easier option.
Oh - please don't give me grief about "this is the risk you take with beta software". I know and understand that, I've been beta testing for years.
TIA
Steve

Create folders in windows explorer with names similar to the ones you want to keep for your messages (Inbox, Sent Items, etc.) Then open Windows Mail, go to the local mail folder you wish to copy messages from, selecting all the messages you wish to save (Ctrl+A), then just drag/drop them into the Explorer folders you created. Save them to external media, then on the XP setup, open Outlook Express, under View/Layout - make sure the Show Preview Pane is enabled and drag/drop the messages from the Explorer folders into the desired local mail folders in Outlook Express. Should only take a short while to do. Good luck. -- Jim Pickering MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your feedback.
"Steve Howard" wrote in message

I like Vista and I have enjoyed testing it, but right now it's just too slow on my system for productive use.
So I want to revert to XP, but need to take my mail archive with me. I have an existing OE archive built with Express Assist 7 that will take me back to where I was before I installed Vista, but obviously that archive does not contain emails I sent and received over the last few weeks. Is there a simple method for archiving Windows Mail files and reimporting them into Outlook Express? I know the files are of a different format, hence I am asking now before I reinstall XP.
I could email the important files to me, or maybe my gMail account before I do the upgrade so I know I won't lose everything, but I'd prefer an easier option.
Oh - please don't give me grief about "this is the risk you take with beta software". I know and understand that, I've been beta testing for years.
TIA
Steve

Jim,
thanks, that'll work. Used to be you could not do that if the emails had the same title (e.g. "Re: Subject") but I see that's not really a problem now.
Steve
"Jim Pickering" wrote in message

Create folders in windows explorer with names similar to the ones you want to keep for your messages (Inbox, Sent Items, etc.) Then open Windows Mail, go to the local mail folder you wish to copy messages from, selecting all the messages you wish to save (Ctrl+A), then just drag/drop them into the Explorer folders you created. Save them to external media, then on the XP setup, open Outlook Express, under View/Layout - make sure the Show Preview Pane is enabled and drag/drop the messages from the Explorer folders into the desired local mail folders in Outlook Express. Should only take a short while to do. Good luck. -- Jim Pickering MVP-Outlook Express/Windows Mail Please reply to newsgroup only so that others may be helped with your feedback.
"Steve Howard" wrote in message I like Vista and I have enjoyed testing it, but right now it's just too slow on my system for productive use.
So I want to revert to XP, but need to take my mail archive with me. I have an existing OE archive built with Express Assist 7 that will take me back to where I was before I installed Vista, but obviously that archive does not contain emails I sent and received over the last few weeks. Is there a simple method for archiving Windows Mail files and reimporting them into Outlook Express? I know the files are of a different format, hence I am asking now before I reinstall XP.
I could email the important files to me, or maybe my gMail account before I do the upgrade so I know I won't lose everything, but I'd prefer an easier option.
Oh - please don't give me grief about "this is the risk you take with beta software". I know and understand that, I've been beta testing for years.
TIA
Steve