Set Up an Initial Email Client

• 1). Call your ISP to determine how to set up your initial email client. Write down all account information you will need later, such as you user name, password and mail-server names.
  
  
• 2). If you do not already have the software you need for your initial email client, go to its website, download its software and then install it. While setting up your initial email client, enter the account information you wrote down earlier while on the phone with your ISP. When prompted, set your initial email client as your default.
  
  
• 3). Click "Start," select "Settings," click "Control Panel" and then double-click "Internet Options" to display the "Internet Properties" window. Click the "Programs" tab to display its page. Use the "Email" drop-down menu to select your initial email client and then click "OK" to close the "Internet Properties" window.
  
  
• 4). Test your initial email client by exchanging messages with one of your own Web-based email accounts, such a Gmail or Yahoo! Mail.
  
  

Set Up a Newer Email Client

• 1). Open your initial email client, examine your account settings and write down your account information, such as you user name, password and mail-server names. Although you might not need to enter this information manually while later installing your newer email client, you should keep it handy in case you do need it.
  
  
• 2). Go to the website of your newer email client. Download and install its software. When prompted, set your newer email client as your default.
  
  
• 3). Import account information from your initial email client, including settings, address books and email files. This can take considerable time if you have saved multiple email files and folders.
  
  
• 4). Click "Start," select "Settings," click "Control Panel" and then double-click "Internet Options" to display the Internet Properties window. Click the "Programs" tab to display its page. Use the "Email" drop-down menu to select your newer email client and then click "OK" to close the "Internet Properties" window.
  
  
• 5). Test your newer email client by exchanging messages with one of your own Web-based email accounts, such a Gmail or Yahoo! Mail.