1.     Go to the “Inbox” if you aren’t already there when you click on Outlook Express icon on you desktop.  If it doesn't come up automatically, click on read mail, and then you can change this option in tools, options, and check the box that shows "when starting, go directly to my inbox folder", click apply, and OK.

2.     As long as you are connected to the internet, your new email will automatically download; you’ll see the program checking for new mail on the bottom.  You may also click on the send/receive icon at the top to check for email.  If you don't have a toolbar that show send/receive, click on view, click in the boxes by toolbar, folder bar, and status bar, click apply, click OK.  You can also customize this toolbar by clicking on the customize toolbar button. 

3.     To open new email, double-click each new email showing in the inbox, or highlight (click on email) and look in the preview pane below and scroll on the side to read mail.  Or double-click the email to open it in a new window.  I really don't recommend preview panes anymore, I change that under view (top toolbar), layout, and uncheck the preview box, click apply, and OK. 

4.     To forward, reply to author, reply to all, delete, or move message to a new location (folder), right-click on the email message and choose one of these actions in the drop-down menu.  You may also highlight the message (click on it) and click on the icons for forward, reply to author, reply to all, or delete at the top of the page.  And you may also click on reply or forward in the actual email after you read it.  How convenient!

5.      To compose a new message: click “Create Mail in that top toolbar, or New mail for older versions of Outlook Express” and the small triangle next to it if you wish to add stationery.  This action takes you to a New Mail message box.  Click on the little icon next to the “to” and this will take you to the address book to choose recipient(s).  Double-click on the recipient’s name(s) and, then, click “ok” at the bottom.  Now, back to the message box, and type a subject in the bar after the word “subject”, click in the body of the letter (or tab to the body of the letter) and compose message.  Click “send” icon at the top.  Away it goes, unless you are offline, and then it will stay in your outbox until you are ready to send it.  The send option is also available under “file menu” at the top of page.   I really recommend that you send email to people BCC, blind carbon copy, especially when you are sending to large groups.  It is very professional to do this, and you can find the directions for that here

6.     Just a note about plain text messages: to choose the plain text format (especially for mail sent to Macintosh users, and many AOL users), click on “format” at the top of the page, and choose “plain text”.  HTML allows you to send colored script, pictures and attachments and more, so unless you must send plain text, send HTML formats.   

7.     If you lose one of the toolbars at the top of page (there should be three), just check under the “view” at the top of the page, and layout to make sure that your boxes for  toolbar, folder bar, and status bar are checked, click apply, and ok.  Just a helpful hint for the vanishing toolbars that plague so many of us. 

8.     Address Book: Click on “address book” icon (top) to view addresses.  To send a person a message from here, you may highlight the name/email address, and click send mail on the top/right.  This will take you to the message box to compose and send.      To add a new address: click “new contact”, this will take you to the box to enter information.  Click (to get the blinking cursor) in the “first” box to type the person’s name. Then, move to the blank next to the “add new” type in email address precisely as it needs to appear (name@something.net) and remember to have the case (upper or lower case) absolutely as should be or you may not be able to send mail to that address. Then click  “Add”.  This will set the new address as the default, and mail will always go to that address when you choose that person ‘s name.  Then click “OK” at the bottom of the page.   

HAPPY EMAILING!

send/reply/forward/bcc directions

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