Creating Outlook Express Message Rules
Message Rules are an invaluable feature of Outlook Express. Basically, rules are filters you configure that take action on an incoming message based on conditions you set.
For example, if you are plagued by spam, you may want to set up a message rule that will take any message with the word "free" in the subject and move it to the Deleted Items folder, so that you won't have to deal with it. It's not a perfect way to combat spam, but it helps.
To set up message rules, click Tools on the menu bar. Then highlight Message Rules and then click on Mail. This will bring up the New Mail Rule window. Setting up a message rule is a four-step process:
1. Select the conditions for your rule:
There are several options here, so scroll through the available list. The most obvious conditions are when the message subject contains a certain word, when the message is from a certain person and when the body contains certain words. But, there are other options, such as when the message is marked as a priority. When you select a condition in section 1, you will notice that in section 3 the condition appears. You will have the opportunity to specify the condition further in step 3.
2. Select the actions for your rule:
Once you've selected a condition, you need to tell Outlook Express what to do with the message. For unwanted mail, you'll probably want to delete it when it matches your condition. But another useful application is to filter your incoming mail from friends or colleagues into topical folders. For example, you could have a folder for messages from your best friend, and have the messages routed into the folder as soon as they're received. In essence, it's a way to save you time.
3. Rule description:
If your rule contains a word with a blue hyperlink, click it to specify the rule's properties. For example, if you want to delete all incoming mail with "free" in the subject, you will click the blue link and enter the word "free" in the text box.
4. Name of the rule:
Finally, enter a descriptive name for your new message rule, so you can easily remember what it's used for. Hit OK and your message rule is complete. You may want to send yourself a test message matching your conditions to see if it works to your satisfaction; if not, simply revisit Tools > Message Rules > Mail, and you'll see your message rule on the list. Edit it by clicking Modify.