Many people who’ve used Comcast on a Windows XP or Vista machine find themselves at sea on a new Windows 7 computer. Their main grievance is the absence of Outlook Express or Windows Mail.
And this is indeed true. The new operating system comes without an email program! But don’t worry, here is how you can get your trusted Comcast email on the new computer – Windows 7 laptop/desktop. The old software – Outlook Express on XP and Windows Mail on Vista – have been replaced by Windows Live Mail, a new free email program from Microsoft.
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Generally, this client is pre-installed in a new Windows 7 laptop computer by the manufacturer. If not, you can quickly download Windows Live Mail and install it in a few minutes.
Get Comcast email on a new Windows 7 computer via Windows Live Mail
Windows Live Mail is quite like its predecessors – Outlook Express and Windows Mail. By the way, Microsoft has stopped supporting Outlook Express and Windows Mail. The company strongly recommends XP and Vista users shift to the new email client (yes, it can be installed on older Windows operating systems versions).
Though the basic functionality is the same, the new email client takes a little getting used to because its interface and layout are different from both Outlook Express and Windows Mail. Based on the feedback I receive, a lot of people have complaints regarding the Windows Live Mail colors. But cast your fears aside and jump aboard. I’ve been using Windows Live Mail for years (since the Vista days) and have never had a problem.
Update (October 2010): The old Windows Live Mail has been changed to Windows Live Mail 2011 the GUI of which is markedly different from all previous email programs from Microsoft.
Alternatives to Windows Live Mail – other email program for your new computer
Though Windows Live Mail is the recommended email client for new Windows 7 computers, you can use others if you want to move away from Microsoft products.
The best alternative is Thunderbird, a free email program from the same company that develops Firefox web browser. Zimbra, formerly owned by Yahoo, is also a nice piece of software.
Unfortunately, there is no way you can install Outlook Express on Windows 7. However, there is a small ray of hope of people who were on Vista – one can get Windows Mail on Windows 7… though I haven’t tried it myself.
People who are serious about their email (who isn’t?), should also look into the option of using Outlook which is a full-fledged email client from Microsoft. Outlook costs a little money though… it’s not free!
Conclusion: Microsoft recommends using their new free email program, Windows Live Mail, to download Comcast email and store it on a new Windows 7 computer. Other free alternatives are Thunderbird (Mozilla) and Zimbra desktop (formerly owned by Yahoo!).
