Split from this thread.

To backup up my emails, I create a folder with the date in its name on a backup drive,

Just to add another possibility which is automated: use File History. On Windows 8.1, you don't have any choice what to back up like you have on Windows 10, but it's easy enough to change the location of the store folder (the one called Windows Live Mail in your instructions) to a folder in the Documents folder. Thereafter, it will be automatically backed up to the File History drive.

To move the store folder, in Windows Live Mail press Ctrl-Shift-O for Options. On the Advanced tab, click Maintenance and then Store folder. Follow the instructions to Change ... the location.

I relocated the Storage Folder to my Documents folder as suggested. However, I then renamed the "Store Folder" to "Store Folder 3 May 2016" & of course Windows Livemail 2012 did not recognise it, and created a new folder titled "Store Folder".

Is it as simple to just change the original Storage Folder's name back to "Store Folder", and then merge the 2 "Store Folders", or would you suggest something else.

I did a backup on 18 April 2016, which was the last time I was able to get around the issues with the updates affecting the ability to backup within Windows Livemail 2012. I guess I could try restoring that, if you think that would be a better option.