In Outlook Express (OE) Win98Se, a folder, let us say, MyMail stores it's contents in a file named MyMail.dbx
If the file name is changed, by for example dropping the extension .dbx
Opening OE will result in the folder MyMail being in an empty state.
Look back in the directory containing the .dbx files, using explorer, there will be a new MyMail.dbx the renamed MyMail with no extension remains and is 'hidden' to OE .. and interestingly is hidden to a search for *.dbx files should some malicious code have reason to search.
To regain the emails, before opening OE, go to the directory containing .dbx files, delete or preferably rename MyMail.dbx then rename MyMail to MyMail.dbx .. Open OE, bingo there is the original contents of MyMail in the folder of that name.
Just found this by having a play ... Could be useful. Or MaybeNot
P
If the file name is changed, by for example dropping the extension .dbx
Opening OE will result in the folder MyMail being in an empty state.
Look back in the directory containing the .dbx files, using explorer, there will be a new MyMail.dbx the renamed MyMail with no extension remains and is 'hidden' to OE .. and interestingly is hidden to a search for *.dbx files should some malicious code have reason to search.
To regain the emails, before opening OE, go to the directory containing .dbx files, delete or preferably rename MyMail.dbx then rename MyMail to MyMail.dbx .. Open OE, bingo there is the original contents of MyMail in the folder of that name.
Just found this by having a play ... Could be useful. Or MaybeNot
P