Q. I use Windows Mail. I want to receive all my email messages here including Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo. I understand that Microsoft now has available an email program that can do this.

A. Yes, this is true. It is called Windows Live Mail and is available at         http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview.

Apparently, it affords better protection for Spam and viruses. It is advertised as the following:  Get multiple e-mail accounts in one place—not only Hotmail, but Gmail, Yahoo!*, and many more. Plus, you can start a Windows Live Messenger conversation right from your inbox, or jump right into the latest updates from your friends' Windows Live Spaces Blogs. If you are familiar with Windows Mail, you should have little difficulty in learning to use it.

Q. (Email message) As I was setting up, transferring programs onto and looking at the "gadgets" icon on the desktop of my new Vista based computer, I was removing some notification icons in the toolbar that I did not think necessary.  I inadvertently deleted the icon for "gadgets" and cannot find how to restore that icon or any of the gadgets.  A search function shows there are no gadgets.  I cannot find where to be able to access them again from the control panel.  Any ideas?

A. Click on Start; type in Sidebar at the Search area; click on Window Sidebar under Programs (left upper panel). This should do the trick.

Q. (Email message) My computer seems to be running very slow and doing things that are "abnormal".  Somebody told me I may have a virus.  How can I tell for sure if I have a virus and, if I do, what can I do to get rid of it?

A. (The questioner has AVG) There are many etiologies that may cause your computer to run very slowly. A possible virus infection is certainly one. This possibility should be diagnosed and treated if present. Make certain that your anti-virus program (AVG) is updated then do a scan. You should have an AVG icon in the Notification tray (right side of the Taskbar). Double click on the icon and click on the Update button. Once the Updates are downloaded, click on the Test Center (left panel) then click on Scan Computer. Over the years, I also have used both Trend and Stinger to conduct virus scans using the Internet. The former is available at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/. The latter is available at http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/. These will also treat any pathology found. Both are free. They do not however replace installed full anti-virus protection but are used as adjuncts. It is strongly suggested that you have only one complete anti-virus program installed to avoid possible conflicts. If used properly i.e. downloading the latest AVG updates and doing periodic scans, you should have adequate protection.

Q. (Email message) I am getting a weird response when using spell check for Outlook Express.  I have in the back of my mind that you addressed this one time at one of your meetings.  It wants to change the spelling for everything.  Thanks for any help. 

A. My first impression was to accuse you of being a poor speller. Seriously, this situation sounds like you have a copy of Office 2007 in which the language setting is causing the spell checker to malfunction. The following URL addresses and solves this problem:

http://blogs.chron.com/helpline/archives/2007/04/outlook_express_1.html.

(In this questioner’s case, the language setting was French.)

Q. (Email message) I often receive documents attached to an email.  How can I save those documents to my computer?

A. (The questioner uses Vista as his operating system.)  One way to do so is to Open Windows Mail (Start> click on Windows Mail). Open the message with the attachment you want save; click File menu; click Save Attachments; click Save. By default, Windows Mail saves attachments in your Documents folder. If you want to save the attachment in another folder, click Browse instead of Save then select the folder you desire; click OK; click Save.  

Q. (Email message) We are using Outlook for our email and I am wondering if you could (show) how to put a group of email addresses into one group so that if I send an email to a neighborhood group regarding a planned activity, I don’t have to go to each contact email address in the address book individually.  I’m sure there is a way to just call the group a specified name like neighborhood and all the addresses can be added to the To: section of the email in one click. 

A. Creating groups in Outlook is a relatively easy task. This Web site should help you: http://www.dvc.edu/staffdevelopment/OutlookEmail/.

Q. (Email message) Because I've always wondered if I might be missing out on something good due to my cynicism and caution regarding allowing anything intrusive to get into my computer, regardless of who has recommended it. I get lots of offers such as the one below, which was sent by Winzip although it is from an outside source. Winzip (a WinZip advertisement which included Registry Booster and free scan) says they have tried it, but have a statement in small type saying they (Winzip) are not legally responsible should there be problems. Should one dismiss these "free" offers out-of-hand as advertising gimmicks designed solely to sell us something, or might some of them be useful and merit consideration?

A. You are very wise to be cautious regarding allowing anything intrusive to get into my (your) computer. Many of these offers are propagated by "bad guys" who want to damage your computer e.g. installing malware and pop-ups, or sell you worthless and dangerous software. WinZip, itself, is a reliable creator of software. As far as recommendations are concerned, if this comes from a well known reliable source e.g. Microsoft, Adobe, Apple etc, you should feel comfortable. Through the years, I have also usually followed the recommendations of people like Kim Komando and Langa with positive results.

Q. (Email message) I recently installed Vista. I have not encountered any difficulty until after my grandson visited us and "played" with my computer. Now I have lost the Recycle Bin from the Desktop.

A. Apparently your grandson inadvertently deleted it which is not unusual. Usually, the Recycle Bin can be retrieved. Try the following: click Start; click Control Panel (Classic view); click Personalization; click Change desktop icon (left panel); check the box to select Recycle Bin; click OK.

Q. I use Internet Explorer 7 on my Windows XP computer. I have seen other computers that have an Outlook Express icon available on the toolbar. By clicking on this icon, Outlook Express opens up. How can I have this available on my computer?

A. Open Internet Explorer. On the Toolbar (not the Menu bar) click on Tools; select Toolbars from the menu; click Customize; click on Read Mail (left panel); click Add; close. You may have to click and drag the separator on the Toolbar to the left to make room for the Read Mail icon. Now when you click on this icon, Outlook Express or whatever your default email program happens to be should open. You can lock the Toolbar by right clicking on it and checking Lock the Toolbar

Q. (Email message).What should I do about this drop down warning?

"An ActiveX control on this page is not safe. Your current security settings prohibit unsafe controls on this page. As a result, this page may not display as intended."

A. (The questioner uses Windows XP). ActiveX controls are ideal tools for crackers who would attack your computer. They can exploit security holes in your Internet Explorer browser unless the ActiveX controls are set properly. The IE browser ActiveX controls must be reconfigured on your computer. You should right click on the Internet Explorer icon on the Desktop then click Properties then click on the Security tab. Most of us set the security level at Medium. Next click the Custom level button. Scroll down to Active controls and plug-ins and disable Download unsigned Activex Controls and Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe. Set the other ActiveX options to prompt.