I am trying to copy the DBX files for Outlook Express so that I can have them on another computer of if I need to reformat this one. I look under the documents and settings\"user name"\application data\identities\"long string #" and that folder is empty and when I do a search for inbox.dbx or *.dbx there are nothing in the results anyone have a clue how I can get those folders?? Or where they might be hiding?? Thanks Jay

The files in OE are usually in *.wab files. Not dbx files. Outlook uses *.pst files for it's e-mails and such. It would be easier just to choose Export off the file menu and then Import when you want to bring them back. Larry

This is directly from Help in Outlook Express. Good Luck.. PS: You may have to specify when you search to show hidden files and folders. To compact and back up e-mail folders Select an e-mail folder. On the File menu, point to Folder, and then click Compact. To back up the folder, find the folder file, and then copy it to a backup folder, floppy disk, or network drive. Outlook Express e-mail folders have a .dbx extension (for example, "Sent Items.dbx"). Notes Some message files might be too large to back up onto a floppy disk. If you are using a program other than Outlook Express to send e-mail messages to newsgroups, check your e-mail program's documentation for information about compacting and deleting e-mail folders

I should have read the message more carefully. Of course the advice from jeh44 is the correct answer. Larry