An evaluation of Windows Live Mail and Outlook Express - Which is better?

The popular Outlook Express or the latest Windows Live Mail?

Windows Live Mail is the latest email client from the Microsoft stables. It's available as a free download from the live.com web site. Outlook Express was, and probably still is, a well-liked program with millions of loyal followers. Its popularity stems from the fact that it was built in Windows 98 and XP operating systems or could be quickly installed with the Internet Explorer web browser. However, the development and support for O.E. has been discontinued by Microsoft and the new Windows Live mail has been released.

So which of these is better? The older popular email client or the latest one? This is the question we shall address on this page.

Outlook Express was my only email client

I, like millions out there, was a prolific user of Outlook Express. It was a very simple program and did its job well. The interface was non-intrusive and helped even beginners set up email accounts and start working in a matter of minutes. However, Outlook Express was notorious as a magnet for viruses and worms. Security issues on this software were not addressed properly by Microsoft which led to it being responsible for the spread of several famous viruses. But with a good anti-virus program on my system, I seldom, if at all, had any problems with Outlook Express. Obviously, I did want a little more, especially, for email management because that's what I used the program for.

From Outlook Express to Windows Mail Vista and now Windows Live Mail

When I first got a new computer with the Vista operating system, I could not find Outlook Express on it. However, I spotted Windows Mail in a few minutes and when I saw it for the first time; I understood that this was the new version of Outlook Express - the interface was familiar and so was the functionality. After using Windows mail vista for a few months, I came to know of Windows Live Mail and shifted to the new email client because I thought it offered much more. And Windows Live Mail far surpassed by expectations. It was not just an email client but also featured an RSS reader and a blogging tool. Several newly introduced and improved email management features got me hooked.

Windows Live Mail and Outlook Express - a comparison of the two email clients

Multiple email account setup

Though, one could set up multiple email accounts in both the email clients, Windows Live Mail also lets you configure in your Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo!Mail accounts. The setup procedure is also quicker and simpler with lesser windows that seem to make the process appear so smooth.

A standalone download file

Windows Live Mail comes as a standalone installer file - refer downloading Windows Live Mail for step by step instructions. The file is small, less than 2.5MB, and downloads in a couple of minutes.

Though, installing Windows Live Mail is a simple affair, I do suggest you go through the page for detailed instructions.
Outlook Express, on the other hand, was bundled with the Internet Explorer and could only be downloaded and installed with the web browser.

Super quick email search utility

If you have ever searched for emails in Outlook Express, you know how frustrating it can be. Windows Live Mail has a super fast email search function which is conveniently located at the top.

Sending photos over email

Windows Live Mail also has a Photo e-mail feature that lets you send large photographs over email. As you probably know, pictures taken from conventional digital cameras and quite large in both file size and physical dimensions. If you had to send a dozen such photographs, you would choke the inbox of the recipient. Windows Live Mail offers a great alternative. The Photo e-mail puts your large images on a private location on the web and sends only thumbnails. If the recipients want to view the larger version they can simply click on the thumbnail they get in the email. To know more, read how to send photos and pictures over email.

Automated junk email filter

On Windows Live Mail, Microsoft has been much more serious about email security and privacy. The program has a built in automated junk email filter than scans each incoming email message and looks for spam and phishing markers. Any message that is identified as malicious or not wanted is automatically moved to the Junk e-mail folder.

Windows Live Mail is much more than an email client

Email management, aside, Windows Live Mail can also function as a news client, RSS feeds reader and a blogging tool. These features and functionality put this program way above Outlook Express.

RSS reader requires you simply add the feed's address. The feeds would be download from the web and stored alongside your email messages - in a separate section, of course. Furthermore, you can create folders to better organize the feeds.

The blogging tool allows you to keep you Windows Live Spaces blog up-to-date.

Though, Outlook express was so very popular because it came free and preinstalled on the Windows operating system I suppose it's only a matter that Windows Live Mail email client too would become famous because it is a separate download. If it was preinstalled on Vista or the future versions of Windows, its usage would increase tremendously.