What's my best option for eMail

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Hi,

My family are about to migrate to Windows 7 from Windows XP - four computers in total.

At the moment we each use Outlook Express as our eMail client but I realise that doesn't exist in Windows 7.

We also each have Office 2003 but have never used real Outlook as OE was already there and suited our needs.

So migrating to Windows 7 I have two immediate options

(1) Use Windows 7 Live Mail

(2) Use Outlook 2003

Which do you think will be the best option?

Also which would be the best way to migrate - emails, folders and address book.

(a) OE to Windows Live 7. I've read a few guides and it looks straightforward in parts and convoluted in others

(b) OE to Outlook 2003. I know when you install Outlook 2003 it will automatically import OE - never tried it but assume it workd okay. But I've never seen a portable export\import so I guess this would be best done on the XP machine before upgrading to Windows 7. Then I would have a poratble PST file that I can use with Outlook 2003 on Win7.

(c) Win7 Live Mail to Outlook 2003. Is this even possible. One option is to move to Win7 Live Mail but if I find I don't like it, move to Outlook 2003. But I've no idea whether this is possible or not. I can't imagine that Outlook 2003 would automatically import from Live Mail.

Thanks for your advice.


Cheers,

Nigel
 
If you look somewhere in here you'll see I asked a simillar question, and it's google's Gmail all the way!

Alternatively, I think Windows Mail is what windows 7 uses? It is with Vista.
 
Yup - you download it as you would MSN Messenger via Live so thats an option. But as has already been said, I'd go with Thunderbird
 
Alternatively, I think Windows Mail is what windows 7 uses? It is with Vista.

Yes that's what I mean - I heard it called Live Mail.

I wasn't really thinking of looking at other clients.

Office will be installed on each of the machines so no hardship putting Outlook 2003 on there. And Windows Mail is on there whether I like it or not.

So those are the only two I am considering. Just wanted to understand which is best and what the migration options are like.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
In that case go for Outlook 2003, will offer more flexibility should you decide to change in future.

Unless things have changed you should be able to export everything from inside express and then import it as a PST into outlook 2003
 
Yep, I'm thinking of moving to Outlook 2003 whilst still in XP as I know that happens automatically.

And because I'm not sure there is a way to export from OE that can be imported into Outlook on a different installation.

Nor am I convinced that Outlook 2003 will automatically import from Windows Mail, simply because Windows Mail didn't exist when Outlook 2003 was written.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
Outlook 2003 - having everything in one place is great as well such as Calendar and Contacts. I also use Tasks and Notes all the time.

Also a very good and reliable e-mail client.



M.
 
I have to vouch for Gmail, Ive been using it for years now and I can't fault it. Come to think of it, I'm tempted to say its the best all around and most consistent product I've ever used on a computer.. seriously.
 
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