Accessing old AOL emails on a different computer

March 6, 2014 6:25 PM

I have been an AOL user for several years. I've had several different computers during that time. Now I can't seem to find old emails.

Could someone please advise where in the file directory I should look for my old AOL emails from '98 - '02? Where is the file located and what would it be called?

Also, having found the file. what AOL app on the '98 - '02 computer would be used to read the emails? Are there any modern apps I can download which I can run on my new '13 laptop to read the contents of my old AOL Personal Filing Cabinet once I've exported the file to a USB?

Thanks for any help with this,

posted by Musashi Daryl to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Here's some information from AOL Help.
posted by xingcat at 6:30 PM on March 6, 2014

Looks like ePreserver can convert AOL Personal Filing Cabinet mail to newer software.
posted by zsazsa at 7:26 PM on March 6, 2014

And here are some instructions for a free solution if you don't mind using a program written in German...
posted by zsazsa at 7:27 PM on March 6, 2014

You can install the new client and import the old mail.
posted by empath at 1:15 AM on March 7, 2014

Have you tried logging into your mail on www.aol.com and looking in the old mail folder?

I am an aol user from the early 90's and still use aol mail for my main email (don't use their program obviously) and they have an old mail folder that might have all your old mail in it.
posted by majortom1981 at 4:49 AM on March 7, 2014