Do you currently use Outlook Express for your email? If you plan to upgrade to Windows 7 or buy a Windows 7 computer, you will need to find a new way to send and receive email.
The Outlook Express email application has been the main stay of every version of Windows since Windows 95. It changed slightly with Vista and was called Windows Mail.
With the release of Windows 7, Microsoft no longer includes the popular email program. Instead, Microsoft hopes you will download and install Windows Live Essentials which includes Windows Live Mail.
Windows Live Mail is a hybrid program that works sort of like a standalone program, but is tightly integrated to the web. I don’t like half way, personally. The program is slow, wants you to sign up with HotMail (Microsoft’s web based email), and many report it as being a little buggy as well.
I recommend avoiding Windows Live Mail.
That leaves emailers with a few options
- Thunderbird – Firefox’s sister program that works similarly to Outlook Express.
- Eudora – One of the oldest email applications and still considered to be the best by some. Free, and pay version.
- Gmail – You can easily configure Gmail to retrieve email from your existing account, or make the total change to Gmail only.
- Use your email provider’s web based email.
- Yahoo Email – I like the Yahoo system, but if you make the change to web based, nothing beats Gmail right now.
- Microsoft Outlook – Extra program with some versions of Microsoft Office for email, calendaring, and other functions. The only option of all these that costs extra money.
Are you using Windows 7 yet? What are you using for email? Planning to go to Windows 7…what are your plans for email? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
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Yes , I just got a new computer with Windows 7 64 bit operating system, and it needs only 64 bit software, which is very limited , there are some programs pre-installed, Email , well I tried all the 64 bit compatible ones and the only one which works good is : “Windows Live” it is good because it allows emailing pictures and videos etc using 64 bit ! thats the key , there are two types of Windows 7 out there : Windows 7 32 bit and windows 7 64 bit, they are not the same, make sure if your buying a new computer that your getting Windows 7 64 bit, its a lot faster , newer, and it is where all computers are heading in the near future ! the 32 bit version is the upgrade from vista , and it is not the same at all, Windows 7 64 bit is loaded freash on new system computers and is way better with way less problems that the upgrade from vista 32 bit type.
bottom line; use ………….Windows Live.
When it comes to emails Ms Office Outlook is the best. Or even anything office related Ms Office is the king.
I looked at Windows Live but didn’t like the happy clappy style so I am using my email provider’s web based email. I am with Virgin which has just moved over to a Gmail system and so far I am happy with it. Whilst things were being changed I registered with Gmail, but was having problems receiving mail, I suspect it was with Virgin changing over, so now if I want to send a photo or document, the easiest way is to send it via my Gmail account.
I would like to get rid of Windows Live but not sure what is safe to uninstall. The Live sign in assistant is a pain.