Before installing Windows 7 I downloaded everything to an external hard drive. I'm able to see whats on the external hard drive but how do I transfer my Outlook contacts, calendar, e-mail, etc. back into Outlook?

Does what you copied to the external drive include your Outlook.pst (as well as Outlook's archive.pst, for your older (archived) content) files?If it does, then follow the directions in KB287070 to import your .pst files into your new Outlook installation.HTH,Chris[If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

thank you for this help. i was able to downloadinto my outlook. unfortunately it's all old stuff - emails from2006 and before. i didn't even get the external hard drive until 2008 i think.most of my contacts haven't changed, andi'll hot sync my cell phone (a palm treo) and hopefully it will update those (althoughi'm frightened that the hot sync will swap the oldaddressesover the new - will have to dig my instruction book back out to make sure this doesn't happen.) peggy