Can't Import Outlook PST into Windows Mail

Due to complete system crash I purchased a Vista machine. I restored my
Outlook 2000 PST file from a backup. I read on the forum that I needed to
install Outlook to resolve the MAPI error I received when trying to import
the PST file into Windows Mail.

However - I failed to set Outlook 2000 as the default mail client - as I did
not want to mess up Windows Mail. The Windows Mail Import utility requires
Outlook to be the default email program for the Import to work.

I have used Control Panel & Explorer paths to reach Default Programs to set
Outlook as the default email program. However Outlook is not showing up in
the list.

A bit frustrated & apparently stuck in a catch 22. I need to Import from
teh PST - so that I can mainatin all attachments - otherwise I woudl dump to
a CSV file - now that I have Outlook loaded.

Any help would be appreciated.

On Aug 25, 1:42 am, Can't Import Outlook PST file <Can't Import
Outlook PST file @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Due to complete system crash I purchased a Vista machine. I restored myOutlook 2000PST file from a backup. I read on the forum that I needed to
> install Outlook to resolve the MAPI error I received when trying to import
> the PST file into WindowsMail.
>
> However - I failed tosetOutlook 2000as thedefaultmailclient- as I did
> not want to mess up WindowsMail. The WindowsMailImport utility requires
> Outlook to be thedefaultemail program for the Import to work.
>
> I have used Control Panel & Explorer paths to reachDefaultPrograms toset
> Outlook as thedefaultemail program. However Outlook is not showing up in
> the list.
>
> A bit frustrated & apparently stuck in a catch 22. I need to Import from
> teh PST - so that I can mainatin all attachments - otherwise I woudl dump to
> a CSV file - now that I have Outlook loaded.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.

I ran into this exact problem while trying to use Outlook2000 with
Vista. My goal was to continue to use ActiveSynch/Synch Center with a
PDA as I've done for years. To make a VERY long story short,
Microsoft could not fix the problem and I finally gave up and bought
Outlook2007. WARNING!!! Do not buy Outlook2007 as it is wrought with
errors like runaway polling. On that note, I gained a full refund
from Microsoft and then purchased Office2003 (with Outlook2003). It
works perfectly and has no default client issues nor the runaway
polling issue. I hope you can save the 80-100 ours I wasted with
Microsoft support.