Extract Plesk backup files to desktop
When you use the in-built Plesk backup system for your domain or client data, it stores the backup files in a format which is a little difficult to access. ZIP format would have been nice, but it actually stores them as gzipped multi-part mime.
It’s the multi-part mime bit that got me thinking… with all the emails we send in multi-part mime, there must be an easy way to work with these files.
Outlook Express to the rescue! It just so happens that the “.eml” file format for saved outlook express emails is straight multi-part mime. (Fingers crossed this works with the new Windows Mail in Vista and Windows 7, if not you might need to dust off one of your old XP boxes).
Here’s how it works:
Extract your backup file with WinRAR
I hear there are other tools out there (someone said anything that supports .gz will do the trick), but I think WinRAR is the best.
Change the file extension to “.eml’
Rename the extract file by adding a “.eml” file extension. This assocates the file with Outlook Express.
Open the .eml file with Outlook Express
Sometimes I get a nasty warning message on this step, but it still opens just fine. All the individual files are neatly organised as attachments to the email. Drag whichever files you need to your desktop and you’re home free.
Warning: sometimes this .eml files can get very large. I managed to open one that was over 1gb, but please be careful when you do this because Outlook Express isn’t exactly designed to be bullet proof on large files.
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