My computer was wiped after data had been backed up. However, when it was restored, I found my original Windows Mail was missing! A new one is in its place. Can my original Windows Mail be found and restored?
You can probably recovery your lost Windows Mail, but the method depends on exactly where it is at this moment. Is it possible that the file is just hidden? Go to My Computer and then choose Organizer and then Folder and Search Options. Click on the View tab, select Show hidden files and folders and click Ok.
Copy to New Windows Mail
If you can find the old folder, you can copy the messages and account information to the new Windows Mail.
- First, go to C:\Users\ (Old mail folder)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail.
- Select all files and the copy to: C:\Users\(New mail folder)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail.
Transfer Mail Settings
You can also transfer your mail settings to the new folder. These are located in the registry, and you can recover them as long as the registry hive is still readable.
- Go to Start and type in: regedit.exe. Click Enter.
- Select HKEY_USERS. You will see the file menu. Choose Load Hive.
- Go to C:\Users\(Oldmailacccount) and select NTUSER.DAT. Give this the key name: OldUserHive.
- Now go to: HKEY_USERS\OldUserHive\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail and choose it.
- Go to File, Export and Desktop. Give this a filename and Save.
- Now select HKEY_USERS\OldUserHive. From File, select Unload Hive.
- Go to Notepad. Open the file that you named in step #5.
- Choose Edit and then Replace. Under “Find What”: HKEY_USER\OldUserHive
- Under “Replace With”: HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Choose Replace All.
- Save and close Notepad.
- Go to Registry Editor again and choose File and then Import. Locate mailsettings.reg and open.
Now, you need to prevent Windows Mail from crashing because of a flaw in the Signature Key. Delete the “Signature” registry key. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail\signatures. Delete this key. Now you can add the signature manually. Go to Windows Mail, Tools and then Options. Choose Signatures and add yours manually.
Data Recovery Tools
There are several downloadable tools that you can use to recover data including deleted or corrupted emails if you don’t want to try to alter the registry.
Data Recovery Pro is a program that can even recover deleted emails from Windows Mail Vista, has a good support program and allows you to download a free trial before buying the program. If you prefer a freeware download, you can try a program like Advanced Windows Mail Recovery, but be aware they offer little if any support.
Hopefully, this advice will allow you to recovery your old Windows Mail files quickly.
