Best way to back up Outlook Express?

Is there a way to copy email files from Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express onto an external drive?

• I have to reformat my hard drive, and I'm worried about losing my email history and documents when I do. I have both Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, and want to back up either or both of them. I've tried to export and save folders, but maybe I'm doing something wrong--the program will only let me export or move them within the email program.

• Answer:

  Export Click Import/Export Select Export to a file. Select Personal Folder File (.pst) Select the folder to export from: Click the Browse button to save it to the default location so it know where to look after you've re-installed the OS and apps and click Finish. Copy it from the default location. Re-install the OS and apps, and copy it back. Outlook Express won't let you drag your email to a folder, but Outlook will. Hope this helps.