Importing email from Outlook to Vista Mail: "MAPI not installed on this computer..."

Anonymous
2009-01-07T03:18:50+00:00

I am trying to import my email on a computer with Outlook into my new notebook with Vista Mail.  When I select Import/Outlook I get the following error message:

    "Messages cannot be imported from the MAPI client.  MAPI is not installed on this computer or an error occured while initializing it."

How do I find out if MAPI (whatever that is) is installed on my new HP Pavillion notebook?  If it isn't installed where do I get it?

Thanks!!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2009-01-09T01:49:19+00:00

Bart,

Outlook Express should be installed with Windows XP by default.  If you go to Start, and then All Programs it should be in the list.  Let us know if you need further help, but it should be there.


Shane

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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Anonymous
2009-01-08T06:14:23+00:00

Hi Bart,

  If you have Outlook Express 6 on the Windows XP PC you can import the messages into it directly from Microsoft Outlook and then copy the Outlook Express data files to the Windows Vista PC.  You can then use the import tool in Windows Mail and choose the Outlook Express 6 option.   

Set up a temporary account in Outlook Express on the Windows XP PC and select the File menu, choose Import, then Messages, and Outlook (Outlook must be configured and will have to contain the messages you are wanting); then select what folders you want to import.  Once the import is complete and you see all of your messages you will need to find out where the data files are stored. 

Within Outlook Express 6:

Click the Tools menu, and select Options

Click the Maintenance tab

Click the Store Folder button

This will be the path to the files you need

Browse to that path and copy any files in that directory to the Windows Vista PC. 

On the Windows Vista PC:

Within Windows Mail, Go to File, then Import, then select MessagesChoose Microsoft Outlook Express 6Click NextChoose Import mail from an OE6 store directory, and click OKClick the Browse button

Browse to the folder that you copied the data stores to.

The files will not show up and you will see a message saying "No items match your search"  This is ok.  Just click the Select Folder button.

The path should now show up to the left of the Browse button

Click Next

Select which folders you want to import

Click NextThis will begin the import process.  Within Windows Mail there should now be a folder named Imported Folder that will contain whatever you imported over.  If you have any other questions, please let us know.  Thank you.


Shane

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-03-15T04:08:26+00:00

    To Jack:

    Maybe you should just be thankful that the solution here worked for you.  I think that the average Outlook user would just use Outlook when they converted to vista.  The problem here is that Outlook is more of a professional email service.  You have to pay for it.  there is certain technology within outlook that needs to be present in order for the import/export to takes place.  outlook express was free and was replaced by windows mail in vista.  I guess they decided that someone who already had outlook in XP would have it in vista, and the time it would take to develop the technology into windows mail probably would make it to where it was not plausible in order for it to be FREE.  Have fun at the museum.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-03-14T20:30:50+00:00

    Your workaround, discovered after several frustrating Help search attempts, worked for me also.  I find the need for it, though, a further amazing demonstration of Microsoft's blindness.  Do you consider this a simple solution that the average Outlook user will discover when converting to Vista and Windows Mail?  If you folks aren't more careful, your only future role will be presiding over the computer museum.  Linux and Apple will be ruling the known computer world and you folks will be dusting off the dual-floppy drive machines.

    Jack

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-03-05T03:50:00+00:00

    Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all who helped on this. I had the same issue, would NEVER have figured this out, esp, since when you load on the windows mail it doesnt even show the folder, as described....man, complicated!!!! but it worked, very much a lifesaver, thanks a million!!! paul

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