Changing the Store Folder for Outlook Express

Microsoft decided to 'hide' the location that Outlook Express files are kept. I am sure they had a good reason for this decision.

Users can have more than one Identity using Outlook Express, and perhaps this is the reason for such a convoluted method to store the Outlook Express files.

However, Microsoft did provide an easy way to change the location of the files to a new and easier way to find them. This is called changing the 'Store Folder'.

Once you decide to move your Outlook Express Store folder, you will first need to enable Viewing Hidden Files and Folders.

The first step to change the location is to create a new folder to keep the new Store Folder.

Screenshot Create new folder.
Screenshot Name the folder.

Now open Outlook Express and click Tools/Options. Select the Maintenance tab on the Options panel.

Screenshot Tools/Options
Screenshot Store Folder Button

Browse to the location of the newly created folder in My Documents, select the folder and click OK. You should then see a message saying 'Your store location will not be changed until you shutdown and restart Outlook Express.

Screenshot Browse to new folder.
Screenshot The location is changed

Now close Outlook Express and reopen. You can check to make sure of the new location either by going back to Tools/Options/Maintenance and clicking on the Store folder button (You should see the new location listed and then just click Cancel) or just browse to the new folder in My documents, open it and you should see all of your Outlook Express folders.