PC help: Email key doesn’t work

Q When my computer was installed two years ago I was able to access Outlook Express by pressing the Mail key on my keyboard.

Now I can no longer do this – when I press Mail, I get a message welcoming me to Outlook 2003 and offering to take me through the process of configuring Outlook 2003. How can I get back to Outlook Express?
Margaret Jeffery

A It sounds like Outlook has set itself up as the default email program on your computer in place of Outlook Express, and this is why it’s starting when you press the Mail key. To change this, click on the Start menu and select Set Program Access and Defaults. Then in the Mail section, if it shows Outlook, change it to Outlook Express. Click OK. You may need to restart the computer. If this doesn’t fix the problem, the Mail key on your keyboard can be set up so that it starts any program when it’s pressed.

The procedure varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the program required will be in the Start menu or Control Panel under the manufacturer’s name. If it’s a Microsoft keyboard, it will be called Microsoft Intellitype, for example. The program will include a section for custom key settings, although it may be called something slightly different. Change the setting for your Mail key so it starts Outlook Express, and close the program.

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