Getting started with Outlook Express

With an Internet connection and Microsoft Outlook Express, you can exchange e-mail messages with anyone on the Internet and join any number of newsgroups.

The Internet Connection Wizard helps you connect to one or more mail or news servers. You will need the following information from your Internet service provider (ISP) or local area network (LAN) administrator:

• To add a mail account, you need your account name and password, and the names of an incoming and an outgoing mail server.
• For newsreading, you need the name of the news server you want to connect to and, if required, your account name and password.

The following topics tell you how to start receiving and sending e-mail, in addition to how to view and join newsgroups. After you get started, you'll find there are many ways to tailor Outlook Express to your needs. Look in Help Contents for ideas.

Windows 98 and Internet Explorer are designed to work with your preferred e-mail program. The installation routine checks your system for installed e-mail programs and lists them in the Mail drop-down box on the Programs page of the Internet Options dialog box (accessed from Internet Explorer’s view menu). If you upgraded form Windows 95 with Microsoft Exchange installed, it will appear on the list as Windows messaging. Outlook Express, which is part of the Windows 98 package, is also on the list. Of course, you can also open your mail program directly, either from the Start menu or form a shortcut on the desktop.

If your don’t already have an e-mail program-and even if you do-Outlook Express can handle your Internet mail very nicely. If you have Microsoft Exchange (left over from Windows 95) but find it complicated and difficult to use, give Outlook Express a try.

To set Internet Explorer to start Outlook Express, do this:

1. Start Internet Explorer (click Start>Programs>Internet Explorer).
2. Choose View>Internet Options>Programs.
3. Set the Mail drop-down list to Outlook Express.
4. Set the News drop-down list to Outlook Express, unless you have another newsreader you prefer.
5. Click OK.

Now, Internet Explorer will open Outlook Express when you choose Mail from the Go menu or when you choose an operation from the menu under the Mail button on the toolbar. You can start Outlook Express from the Start menu (click Start>Programs>Internet Explorer>Outlook Express) or, easiest of all, from its desktop shortcut.

The Outlook Express main window is designed like a Web home page.
Besides the usual menus and toolbar, six icons appear in the main window. Click any one of them for a quick route to the most common functions.

1. Read Mail Opens your e-mail Inbox.
2. Read News Opens your list of subscribed newsgroups.
3. Compose a Message Opens a window for creating mail.
4. Address Book Opens your address book.
5. Download All Connects to your Internet mail service and collects all your new mail messages.
6. Find People Allows you to connect to an Internet directory service (white pages) to find someone’s e-mail address.

The three bars at the top of the window-labeled Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Corporation-are links to Microsoft Web sites. The first two take you to the Outlook Express and Internet Explorer areas, while the third links to a more general page.

 There are also folders for items you’ve sent, items deleted from your Inbox, and items you’ve composed but decided not to send yet (drafts). Also in the left pane are any news servers, which you have set up in Outlook Express.

Copyright © 2001 Selfonline-Education. All rights reserved.