How to backup and restore the Windows Mail message database, if it has been corrupted.

WARNING: There is a risk of data loss. If the Windows Mail® message database is fully corrupted, you may not be able to restore the messages.

1. Configure the operating system to show hidden files and folder .
2. Click on the Start button, and then click Computer.
3. In the Computer window, double-click to open Local Disk (C:).
4. In the Local Disk (C:) window, double-click to open the Users folder.
5. In the Users window, double-click to open the [your user name here] folder.
6. In the [your user name here] window, double-click to open the AppData folder.
7. In the AppData window, double-click to open the Local folder.
8. In the Local window, double-click to open the Microsoft folder.
9. In the Microsoft window, click to select the Windows Mail folder.
10. On the tool bar, click the Organize button and then click Cut.
11. On the left pane, click to select Documents.
12. On the tool bar, click the Organize button, and then click Paste.
13. Open Windows Mail.

    NOTE: The Windows Mail folder will be recreated automatically.

14. In the Windows Mail window, on the menu bar, click File and then click Import.
15. In the Import menu, click Messages
16. In the Windows Mail Import window, click to select Microsoft Windows Mail 7, and then click the Next button.
17. Click the Browse button.
18. In the Select the location of the e-mail messages that you want to import window, on the left pane, click Documents.
19. In the Documents folder, click to select the Windows Mail folder.
20. Click the Select Folder button.
21. In the Windows Mail Import folder, click the Next button.
22. Click to select All folders, and then click the Next button.
23. Click the Finish button.

    NOTE: In Windows Mail, a folder called Imported Folders will contain the imported e-mails.