How to Set the Default Email Account in Windows Mail or Outlook Express

When you reply to an email, Windows Mail and Outlook Express automatically put the email address to which the original message was sent in the From: field. When you create a new message in a folder that belongs to an IMAP account, for example, Windows Mail or Outlook Express automatically puts the account's address in the From: field.

You cannot change that. But you can change what happens when you click Create Mail while in your Local Folders Inbox. Or which address is in the From: field by default when you click on an email address on a web site. You can change the default account.

Set the Default Email Account in Windows Mail or Outlook Express

To make an email account the default in Windows Mail or Outlook Express:

• Select Tools | Accounts... from the menu.
• On the Mail tab, highlight the desired account.
• Click Set as Default.
• Now click Close.