How to Access Microsoft Entourage Notes After Upgrading to macOS Monterey
Question details
The user needs to recover Microsoft Entourage data, specifically Notes, after upgrading their Mac operating system, which rendered the Entourage application incompatible and unable to launch.
- Product
- Microsoft Entourage
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey 12.7.3
- Scenario
- Upgrading to a newer version of macOS without exporting legacy mailboxes and notes first.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Entourage fails to open on macOS Monterey, trapping the locally stored Notes and mail data inside an unreadable database file.
Verify if your notes or emails were previously synchronized with an IMAP or Exchange account, as that data may still be safely stored on the server and accessible via Webmail or Apple Mail.
Use Time Machine to Restore a Compatible Environment
Since there is no standalone program that can natively read raw Entourage databases, you must use a Time Machine backup to revert your system to a compatible macOS version where Entourage can still run, allowing you to export your data.
Newer versions of macOS (like Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterey) do not support 32-bit applications, which permanently breaks older software like Microsoft Entourage.
You will need to temporarily restore your Mac to its previous state (prior to the Monterey upgrade) to access the Entourage interface.
Boot your Mac into macOS Recovery mode, select 'Restore from Time Machine Backup', and choose the backup date right before your Monterey upgrade.
Once the older macOS is restored, open Microsoft Entourage from your Applications folder.
Go to File > Export in the Entourage menu. Choose to export your items to an Entourage archive (.rge) or drag your mail folders to the desktop to create standard MBOX files.
Copy the exported .rge or .mbox files to an external USB drive or cloud storage before upgrading back to macOS Monterey.
Import an MBOX Export into a Compatible Client
If you successfully created an MBOX export of your Entourage data prior to upgrading, you can easily import it into a modern email client running on macOS Monterey.
Upgrade Your Mac Productivity with WPS Office
Struggling with outdated, unsupported Mac applications? WPS Office provides a modern, highly compatible, and reliable alternative to legacy Office software. It runs seamlessly on macOS Monterey and Apple Silicon, ensuring your documents are always safe and accessible.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install on Your Mac: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Start Creating: Launch WPS Office from Launchpad to easily edit all your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open raw Entourage database files directly on macOS Monterey?
No. There are no known standalone applications for macOS Monterey that can directly read or extract data from a raw Entourage database file. You must use the Entourage app on a compatible older OS to export the data.
Will modern Microsoft Outlook for Mac import my Entourage identity?
Modern versions of Outlook for Mac (supported on macOS Monterey) no longer support the direct importation of Entourage identities. You must use a legacy version of Outlook or rely on standard MBOX file exports.
Where was the Entourage database stored on my Mac?
By default, Entourage stored its database in your Documents folder under 'Microsoft User Data' > 'Office 2008 Identities' (or 2004). However, having this file is not enough; you still need a compatible operating system to run the application that opens it.
