Set up email in Windows Vista

Set up email

Windows Mail is Vista's free email program, which replaces Outlook Express. Here's how to use it.

1Get account details

Get account details

During the setup process you'll need to enter some details about your email account. 

Ask your internet service provider, or email provider, to provide you with your username and password, the addresses for your ISP's incoming and outgoing email servers and to tell you whether or not your service requires Secure Password Authentication. 

In addition, ask your ISP if it uses POP3, IMAP or HTTP. You don't need to understand what this jargon means, you just need to get these details from your internet service provider and enter them at the appropriate moments during your email setup, as described below.

2Enter your name

Enter your name

Go to Start > All programs > Windows Mail. 

The Windows Mail setup wizard should appear (if it doesn't go to Tools > Accounts). 

Click the Add button and, in the window that appears, highlight the words E-mail Account and click Next. 

In the following screen, enter your name as you want it to appear in your emails and click Next.

3Email address

Email address

Type your email address (as stipulated by your ISP), click Next. 

Select the server type from the dropdown list at the top of the next window. 

Underneath, you'll see two boxes, for the incoming and outgoing server addresses. 

Enter the details provided by your ISP here. 

If required check the box that says Outgoing server requires authentication > Next.

4Security details

Security details

Enter your username and password into the boxes provided. 

Again these details should have been given to you by your ISP. 

If you don't want to have to enter your password every time you check your mail, put a tick in the box next to Remember password and click Next. 

On the congratulations screen, click Finish to exit the wizard and start using your Windows Mail.