Combine email accounts

How do I combine all 4 of my email accounts into one folder so I can see all my mail at once?
Ernie Luna

The simplest way to combine all your email accounts and check messages at one place is through an email program or an email client. Additionally, the email messages will be downloaded and stored on your computer which means they would be available even without an internet connection. To know more, read the advantages of email programs.

Use a program to combine your email accounts

The choice of the email program depends partly on the operating system your computer is running on. Having said that, the functionality of all popular email programs is quite similar; at least as far as messaging is concerned. Using email protocols such as POP3 (Post Office Protocol), these programs are able to connect to the email server (the computer on which your account resides) and download messages to your local system.

Thus, the only requirement is to have POP3, IMAP or HTTP email protocols enabled on your account; and you can confirm this with the service provider. FYI, most, if not all, ISP email accounts come with either POP3 or IMAP… sometimes even both. The same is true for some of the best email services such as Gmail, Hotmail and AOL. Sadly, POP access is not free on Yahoo though it costs a tad less than $20 per year.

Which email program?

Here is a quick list of some well-known email programs:

• Outlook Express: Windows XP
• Windows Mail: Windows Vista
  You can also get Windows Mail on Windows 7 though a little extra effort is required to have it up and running smoothly.
• Windows Live Mail: XP, Vista and Windows 7.
  This is the new email program from Microsoft and can be downloaded for free.
• Microsoft Outlook: XP, Vista and Windows 7.
  Costing about $140, Outlook is a complete email package.
• Thunderbird: Free email program that can be installed on Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
• Zimbra Desktop: Formerly owned by Yahoo, this is a neat free software is cross-platform.
• Opera Mail: The email program that built inside the Opera web browser.

Combine email messages from various accounts using filters / rules

Different email programs have different ways to organize the downloaded messages. Typically, all messages will be available at the inbox. However, in case of Windows Live Mail, for instance, each email account gets it’s own inbox. The default action of email programs can be modified using message rules or filters. Please check up this feature on your chosen program.

• Windows Live Mail All Inbox
• Collect email in one folder in Windows Live Mail