Which program to read mail?

Thanks for putting up notes for people like us. A few months back, I was able to make an email address with your instructions. I have another question now. After having used the computer in the town library for months, I have finally mustered enough strength to buy one for myself. I was told it runs Windows 7 and is different from the computer in the library. Which program can read mail for me? I’m a senior citizen, not very computer savvy, and would be really like some detailed advice as to which software to install.
Steve Neu

Email accounts can be accessed with two kinds of programs – web browsers and email clients. And both these applications should already be on your new Windows 7 computer. Which one you want to use depends on the type of email account you hold and how you want to check messages.

I’m sure you already know what a web browser is – it’s the program through which you view web sites and web pages. An email client is just a fancy name for software that not only lets you read email but also downloads and stores it on your computer. With these programs you can also send messages and organize them they way you want. Here is a quick introduction to these two methods of accessing email – refer other articles on this web site for further information.

The web browser program is the simplest way to read email

Since you’ve been working from a computer at the local library, I wouldn’t be way off the mark if I assume that you hold an account at a free service such as Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail and use a web browser to access email. If this indeed is the case, please employ the Internet Explorer web browser which is preloaded on your new computer.

The web browser option is preferred for the not-so-tech-savvy because there is no need to learn and install additional software. By the way, if you don’t like Internet Explorer for some reason, you can always download a different web browser on Windows7 – check the web browsers list for alternatives. My personal favourite is Google Chrome, a program I recommend to everyone.

Email accounts are accessed from a web browser through the webmail interface. The look and functionality of this interface depends on the service and the features offered with the email account.

Using email clients – programs to read email

All popular operating systems, including the one on your new computer, come with a email client. Windows Live Mail is the default email program on Windows 7. But not all free email accounts will work with this program. Why? It’s kind of complicated to explain but to put it succinctly – your email account has to be compatible with the email client.

For instance, all free Gmail and Hotmail accounts can be used with Windows Live Mail. Yahoo accounts on the other hand will not work unless you get the Yahoo! Plus upgrade which costs a tad less than $20 annually. If you hold an account from a different service, please check with them.

But before you can use your email account with the email client, you have to set up Windows Live Mail – please check this link for detailed steps with screenshots.