<Computer TidBits> - Outlook Express Set-Up

Outlook Express [5.50.4807.1700] is used for accessing E-mail servers.  The default settings may be modified to provide a better user environment.  Although recommended settings are shown, each user may set their own preferences and use this page as a reminder of where the settings are located.  Two areas [ View/Layout and Tools/Options] will provide the necessary access.  See also the Earthlink Outlook and Outlook Efficiency pages.
  • Click on "View" / "Layout" ---
    • Check mark only "Folder Bar", "Status Bar", and "Tool Bar".
    • All other features are easily accessed without cluttering the window.
    • Click on "Customize Toolbar" button.
      • This dialog can be used to arrange and se appearance of the icon toolbar.
      • The following icon order is an example:
        • New Mail, Separator, Reply, Separator, Forward, Separator, Print, Separator, Delete, Separator, Send/Recv, Separator, Addresses, Separator, Find, Separator.
      • Set Text Options to "No Text Labels" -- the "Tool Tips" box will show the icon label.
      • Set Icon Options to "Large Icons" -- they are easier to see.
    • It is especially important to un-check the "Show Preview Pane" for security since it automatically opens the default highlighted mail.
  • Click on "Tools" / "Options" ---
    • General tab -- Check mark only "When starting go directly to my 'Inbox' folder".
      • "Send and receive messages at startup" should only be checked for broadband connections.
    • Read tab -- Check mark only "Mark message as read after displaying for 5 seconds".
      • Check mark "Get 300 headers at a time" for newsgroups if you subscribe.
      • Click on the "Fonts" button for read font size and type.  Suggested settings:
        • Font Settings: Western European
        • Proportional font: Comic Sans MS
        • Fixed width font: Courier New
        • Font size: Smaller
        • Encoding: Western European (Windows).
        • When satisfied --- click "Set as Default" button.
    • Receipts tab -- Check only "Never send a read receipt".
    • Send tab -- Suggested settings: Check mark only:
      • Save copy of sent messages in "Sent Items" folder.
      • Automatically complete e-mail addresses when composing.
      • Include message in reply.
      • Mail sending format: Plain Text
        • Click on "Plain Text Settings" button.
          • "MIME", Encoding text using "Quoted Printable" (preferred) or "None".
          • Automatically wrap text at 80 characters when sending.
          • Indent original text with "|" when replying or forwarding (applies only in RTF).
      • News sending format : Plain Text
    • Compose tab -- Suggested settings:
      • Compose font "Mail" -- 12 pt. Comic Sans MS, black.
      • No other check marks.
    • Signatures tab - Suggested settings:
      • Do not check mark "Add signatures to all outgoing messages" so that you can select
      • Click the "New" button to create several signatures.
        • Full - set to Default -- name, E-mail, web site, phone number, . . .
        • Family -- "love, your name", e-mail.
        • Business -- "your formal name", business title, e-mail.
        • etc.
      • Click the "Text" radio button.
      • Use the "Advanced" button to set signatures for certain mail accounts.
    • Spelling tab --
      • Check mark all boxes except "Words in UPPERCASE" and "Words with numbers".
      • Click on the "Edit custom dictionary" button to review and change words.
    • Security tab -- Check only the radio button for "Internet Zone".
    • Connections tab -- You may want to check mark "Hang up after sending and receiving" to conserve dial-up phone usage.
    • Maintenance tab -- Check mark only "Empty messages from the 'Deleted Items' folder on exit" and "Compact messages in the background".
  • Click on "Tools" / "Accounts . . ." / "Mail" -- See the Earthlink Outlook page.

Please contact me with your comments, contributions, and/or corrections.

© 2002 Copyright by Jim Pool Friday, November 15, 2002