| As mentioned in Chapter 7, "Sending and Receiving Email," you have several options for controlling how messages are sent, received, formatted, and so on. To access all these settings, follow these steps: 1. | Start Outlook Express.
| 2. | Click Tools and then click the Options command. You'll see the General tab of the Options dialog box (see Figure 15.1). From this tab, you can select to go directly to your Inbox, to play sounds when messages arrive, and other options. You can also select how often Outlook Express checks for new messages.
Figure 15.1. You have a wealth of options for handling email messages. 
| 3. | Make your selections.
| 4. | Click any of the other tabs and then make additional selections. You can do any of the following:
Click the Read tab and select read options, such as how long messages are displayed in the Preview pane before they are marked "read" and how messages are downloaded.
You can request a receipt confirming that a recipient has received a message. Set receipt options from the Receipts tab. You can, for instance, request a receipt for all sent messages.
Click the Send tab (see Figure 15.2) and specify whether a copy of all sent items are stored in the Sent Items folder, when messages are sent (for instance, immediately), the format for your messages (HTML or Plain Text), and other options.
Figure 15.2. Use the Send tab to select options about how messages are sent. 
Use the Compose tab to select formatting options for your email. You can select a particular font. You can also use stationery (basically, a pattern or style for the message).
caution  | You can only use fonts or stationeries if you use HTML mail, and some recipients may not prefer this email format. Therefore, use formatting with caution. |
To select whether messages are automatically spell checked, as well as to set your spell check options, use the Spelling tab.
Use the Security tab to set security options, such as message encryption.
On the Connection tab, you can, as just one example, have Outlook Express hang up or end your connection after messages are sent and received.
tip  | You can also change what items are displayed in the Outlook Express window. Use the commands on the View menu to turn on or off the various program window features. |
Use the Maintenance tab to control options, such as whether deleted messages are placed in the Deleted Items folder or are deleted for good, and to clean up old messages (see Figure 15.3).
Figure 15.3. The Maintenance tab enables you to control how messages are handled. 
| 5. | When you are finished making changes, click OK to close the dialog box.
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