How to Set Up and Use Windows Essentials Mail

Windows Essentials Mail is a simple and convenient email client that comes bundled with Microsoft Windows operating systems. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using Windows Essentials Mail for managing your email accounts.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, ensure that you have the following prerequisites:

• A computer running Microsoft Windows (7, 8, or 10).
• Administrative privileges on your computer.
• A stable internet connection.
• Email account credentials (username and password).

Step 1: Download and Install Windows Essentials Mail

1. Open your preferred web browser and visit the official Microsoft website.
2. Search for "Windows Essentials Mail" or navigate to the downloads section.
3. Click on the appropriate download link for your Windows version.
4. Wait for the setup file to download.
5. Once the download is complete, locate the setup file and double-click on it.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows Essentials Mail.

Step 2: Launch Windows Essentials Mail

1. After the installation process is complete, locate the Windows Essentials Mail icon on your desktop or in the Start menu.
2. Double-click the icon to launch the application.

Step 3: Adding an Email Account

1. Upon launching Windows Essentials Mail for the first time, you will be prompted to add an email account.
2. Click on the "Add email account" button.

Note: If you have already used Windows Essentials Mail and want to add a new account, go to the menu bar and select File > Add account.

3. Enter your email address and password in the provided fields.
4. Click on the "Next" button.
5. Windows Essentials Mail will automatically attempt to configure the account settings based on the email address provided.
6. If successful, you will see a confirmation message. Click on the "Finished" button to complete the setup.

Note: If the automatic configuration fails, you will need to manually enter the email server settings. Consult your email provider's documentation or contact their support for the correct settings.

Step 4: Exploring Windows Essentials Mail

1. Once your email account is set up, the main Windows Essentials Mail interface will be displayed.
2. The left sidebar lists all added email accounts and their folders.
3. The message list displays the emails in the selected folder.
4. Clicking on an email will open it in a separate window.
5. Use the buttons on the toolbar to perform actions such as creating new emails, replying, forwarding, deleting, or organizing messages.

Step 5: Managing Email Accounts

1. To add additional email accounts, click on the menu bar and select File > Add account.
2. To remove an email account, go to the menu bar and select Tools > Accounts.
3. In the Accounts window, select the account you want to remove and click on the "Remove" button.
4. Confirm the removal when prompted.

Step 6: Customizing Windows Essentials Mail

1. To customize the Windows Essentials Mail settings, go to the menu bar and select Tools > Options.
2. In the Options menu, you can modify various settings like general options, message formatting, reading, signatures, etc.
3. Make the desired changes and click on the "Apply" or "OK" button to save the settings.

Step 7: Keeping Windows Essentials Mail Up to Date

Windows Essentials Mail may receive updates periodically. It is important to keep the software up to date to ensure security and functionality improvements.

1. Open Windows Essentials Mail.
2. Go to the menu bar and select Help > Check for Updates.
3. Follow the prompts to download and install any available updates.

Congratulations! You have successfully set up and started using Windows Essentials Mail. Enjoy managing your email accounts with this easy-to-use email client.

Note: Windows Essentials Mail ceased receiving updates and support in January 2017. Consider using an alternative email client if you require more advanced features or ongoing support.