Move/Transfer from Another Computer
A few basics.... Entourage stores all it's data in the Microsoft User Data (MUD) folder. This folder MUST reside in the User's Document folder. If you want to keep all your old preferences, be sure to copy over your Entourage preference files. The MUD folder can contain Identities for more than one version. Each version Identity can contain multiple Identities. e.g. Office 2004 Identity folder: Main Identity, My Identity, Backup Identity, Test Identity.
Same Version Move
- Move to a new computer without Entourage installed
- Move to a new computer that has an existing Entourage Identity.
Upgrade to a New Version Transfer
1) Move to a new computer without Entourage installed (same version).
- Install Office and update [important]
- Copy over the entire Microsoft User Data folder before opening Entourage. Put the MUD folder in your User's Document folder.
- For preference files to copy over see Location of Microsoft Files to Backup
- Restart and run Repair Permissions after running updater.
- Open Entourage and you have all your old mail as before.
2) Move to a new computer that has an existing Entourage Identity (same version).
- Move the entire Identity folder you want to use to the Office xxx Identities folder. You can have more than one Identity in the Office Identities folder. Your Identity is named "Main" by default. Be sure to rename one so you do not overwrite. If you have added scripts, be sure to copy over your scripts in the Entourage Script Menu Items folder.
- If you have not used the new Identity, delete it and just place your old identity folder in the MUD folder. When you open Entourage it will open in the moved Identity.
- New and old Identity: Select "Switch Identity" under Entourage in the menu bar to view your original Identity.
- If you have used it and want to combine the new mail with your original database, you have two options:
- Export data as and Entourage archive (.rge file), "Switch Identity" then import into other Identity.
- Drag each folder to the desktop from one identity. This creates an MBOX file. Switch identities. Drag the MBOX files into the folder window of Entourage. Export contacts as tab delimited file. Switch Identities and Import the contacts.
Upgrade to a New Version Move
Tips when upgrading Entourage mail:
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Clean up your database before importing
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Export your contacts
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Make a backup of your database
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Empty your Deleted Mail
Entourage 2001 or X to Entourage 2004
- Copy your entire Microsoft User Data (MUD) folder to your new computer. Do not use aliases for the import. Do not try to import from a networked computer. Move the data to the new computer.
- Place the MUD folder in your User's Document folder
- For preference files to copy over see Location of Microsoft Files to Backup
- Open Entourage 2004 and select Import under File in the Menu bar. Select your moved Entourage Identity. Entourage will create a new Office 2004 Identities folder along with your Office X or 2001 Identity folder.
- Once you are satisfied with the upgrade you can delete the old Identity folder.
- Locate and copy over your entire OE Identities folder. Do not use aliases for the import. Do not try to import from a networked computer. Move the data to the new computer.
- Your OE Identities folder should be located in your MUD folder in Documents. See Path. Some users might find it in the OE folder. You do not need to copy over the script folder. You'll need updated scripts for Entourage.
- The Identities folder goes into the MUD folder. See Path. You MUD folder can contain more than One Identity from different versions.
- Open Entourage 2004 and select Import under File in the Menu bar. Select your OE Identities folder. Entourage will create a new Office 2004 Identities folder along with your Office X or 2001 Identity folder. See Import/Export for more info.
- Once you are satisfied with the upgrade you can delete the old Identity folder.