In my quest to find my tech groove back on, I decided to tinker with Windows Vista. I automatically installed all apps that I frequently use and that actually led me to overlook Windows Mail - Vista’s default mail client. While I’d prefer using Mozilla Thunderbird this (not that I need to since I’m a web-based mail person), I decided to tinker with it a bit.

Launching Windows Mail

Typically, if you haven’t installed any other mail client, Windows Mail is the default in your Start Menu. If it doesn’t appear in the Start Menu you can just press the Windows key and type in “Windows Mail” in the Start search bar to access it via shortcut. It would initially open a set-up wizard but you can simply pres Esc or Cancel to skip the wizard.

Basic Information You Need to Know

Before you could set-up your

• E-mail address - Either a web-based account or one that’s provided by your Internet Service Provider
• E-mail password - Either you already use one you chose or it’s a temporary password assigned by you provider
• Account type - Whether it’s a POP3, IMAP, HTTP, or web-based account
• User account name - The name you use to sign into your ISP’s service
• Outgoing (SMTP) mail server - The exact name of your provider’ s outgoing mail server
• Incoming (POP3) mail server - The exact name of your provider’ s outgoing mail server

Setting Up You Account

• From the Windows Mail menu bar, click Tools -> Accounts and click Add.
• In the Select Account Type box that opens, click E-mail Account and click Next.
• In the new dialog, type your name. This will appear in your e-mail messages. The example shows that you use your first and last names but you can actually put a nickname. But it’s always best to use your real name. Click Next.
• On the Internet E-mail Address page, type your e-mail address. Note that you have to be careful not to make any typos from this point onwards as any error will prevent it from working. Click Next.
• On the Set up e-mail servers page, choose options and fill in the blanks. Choose Outgoing server requires authentication only if your ISP requires it. Click Next.
• On the Set up Internet Mail Logon page, type your e-mail account name and password as is. You have to be careful when typing your password since you won’t be able to see it. Remember that passwords are often case sensitive so type it as it is. If you don’t want to enter your password every time you check your e-mail, check the Remember Password. For security purposes, however, don’t choose that option if you are using a a public computer. Click Next.
• That’s about it. On the Congratulations page, click the Finish button.

You can click on the Send/Receive button to check if your connections work. Just be sure you’re connected to your ISP.

Okay, so Windows Mail may give you the very basic functions of a mail client, but there are a lot of other better clients out there that you can use.