You have choices. You can use one identity just for archiving if you wish.
You can save them to your HDD. Or to a readable CD.

To backup messages to a readable CD:

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A will
highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select only the
messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on your Desktop.
(Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

On the other hand, OE has no problem with the number of folders you have, it
is the size of the dbx files that matter. You can have one identity and one
folder with as many subfolders as you want for archiving and OE won't gripe
as long as each folder doesn't get much bigger than 100 MB. You cannot
download another OE as it is part of your OS and you would only get a
message that it already exists.

I would simply create as many folders as you need and drag messages to them
en masse. All you need to do is compact your folders when you're done and
regardless of what you end up doing, backup OE daily. See the following.

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move your
mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user created
folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is feasible.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are
open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the
Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer
of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as
time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will
continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/

This is a great two click program:

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA

"John Brown" wrote in message
...
Been using Outlook Express for some time...and concerned its getting
somewhat bloated.
After a few months of heavy use I start a different Identity...have 4
identities now - all v heavy...
...I'm presuming its best not to continue in this way...amassing an
infinite number of Identities...
...so, I can now start a further Identity, or, preferably, put all
existing (OE1) to one side and download and start with a brand new
completely clean Outlook Express (OE2)....how can I do this and continue
to have easy access, for reference purposes only, to OE1 messages?
Thanks, John
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