In Windows 7, Windows Live Mail allows export of the contact book, but the categories created are totally ignored which creates a lot of work to put everything back in shape.
Here is a method for saving for the relocation or transfer of the contact book identical to one PC to another with the categories in place.
Enable the displaying system protected files
In Windows 7 File Explorer, click on the Menu “Organize”, then click “Folder and search options” :
Click View tab and uncheck “Hide protected files of the operating system” :
Go to the directory where the contact files are located in Windows 7
Go to:
C: > Users > Username > AppData > Local > Microsoft > Windows Live Contacts > {ca6799bb-F513-47a7-9c0b-ed741f516189} > DBStore
Note: You may need to run “Grant Administrator” reg file in order to open the folder. Kindly read Solution for Windows 7 is not allowing access to owner™s own file and download the reg file from here.
Note that, {ca6799bb-F513-47a7-9c0b-ed741f516189} is just an example, the hex name may vary and there may be multiple entries too.
Please click the above screenshot to view in full size.
Copy the files and folders in the DBStore folder to a USB drive. For multiple second bracketed folders, copy the entire Windows Live Contacts folder.
Copy:
contacts.edb
contact.pat
dbstore.ini
Edb.chk
Microsoft Windows Live Mail must be closed if the copy is prohibited.
Relocation or transfer to another PC
Go to the Contacts folder as described above. Copy files from the USB Drive (it will replace the existing ones). Launch Windows Live Mail to ensure everything is correct . You must find your contact book categories as it was when the backup.
Reconfigure the option to display “Hide protected files of the operating system” again.
That’s over and in less than 5 minutes, the user will found his address book as before.
