Upgrating from windows 2000 to XP

[josemarquez10]

I need some help before I loose files. I want to upgrade my computer from windows 2000 to windows XP, and I am worry about loosing files created in my microsoft office applications as WORD, EXCEL, OUTLOOK. mainly I am worry about my e-mails since I have so many with a big memory used. As far as I know windows 2000 and XP are windows NT and the upgrade is pretty straight forward, but I would like to know if I upgrade it will not affect my e-mails. I have OUTlook espress.

Thanks

[PrntRhd]

It is always best to load a new version of Windows on a clean partition, not upgrade over the old OS.
An alternative is go dual boot and choose the same file type on both, you may be able to drop and drag files over from the old OS to the new in Windows Eplorer.
Another alternative is to backup your files online or on media and load after the OS is loaded.
More options I am certain.

[Paul Komski]

My option would be to backup the drive as an image file first. Then intall or experiment to your heart's content - knowing you can go back to where you were before the upgrade or second instalation was begun

[Cbrown88]

When you Upgrade from 2000 to XP it will as you if you wanna copy of existing partion which also leaves the currennt system files intact. That is one choice or like PrntRhd said you can try a dual boot.

[Paul Komski]

but I would like to know if I upgrade it will not affect my e-mails. I have OUTlook espress.
If this is your only concern then first make a backup copy of the OE store folder somewhere. You can find out where this folder is from "Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder" If it was disrupted during the upgrade then use the same root to point the new installation to your backup files or just paste the backup folder over the new store folder.