When performing data recovery it is best to first make working copy of your Outlook Express data files.
Outlook Express stores email data in files with the extension .dbx. The default path for the location of the .dbx files is:
C:\Documents and Settings\[your profile name]\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\[your profile number]\Microsoft\Outlook Express
To create a working copy of your Outlook Express (.dbx) email files
1. Open Outlook Express. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. On the Maintenance tab, click Store Folder.
3. Select the folder location, and then press CTRL+C to copy the location.
4. Click Cancel, and then click Cancel again to close the dialog box.
5. Click Start, and then click Run.
6. In the Open box, press CTRL+V, and then click OK.
7. On the Edit menu, click Select All.
8. On the Edit menu, click Copy, and then close the window.
9. Right-click any empty space on your desktop, click New, and then click Folder.
10. Type mail backup for the folder name, and then press ENTER.
11. Double-click the Mail Backup folder to open it.
12. On the Edit menu, click Paste. This will copy the Outlook Express (.dbx) files into the folder.
13. Repeat steps 10 - 12 to create a working copy of the .dbx files
14. Close the Mail Backup window.
Once you have taken the backup of your Outlook Express .DBX files, move to Step 2.