If you prefer the idea of web-based mail clients instead, then you could also check out the best free email services in 2015/16.
Adding an account to Windows Mail for the first time
To launch Mail head over to the Start Menu and then either click on the Mail live tile or click All apps>Mail. If you haven’t set up the app yet then you’ll see a welcome screen and then Mail will search for any linked account that you have stored on the PC. If it discovers, say, a Gmail account it will then present you with a white box entitled Here’s what we found, and then display the account details below. To accept this, click Done. As you’ve most likely used a Microsoft account to log into Windows, this too will setup automatically.
Now you’ll see a blue box named Accounts, listing the ones already found by Mail, and offering the option to add an account. Click on this and you’ll be given a list of popular services (Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, Exchange) plus Other account, that latter of which will enable you to add whichever service you prefer.
Setting up the account is a simple case of selecting the relevant option, then entering your email address and password. Mail will then test the connection and make all the necessary adjustments. Once this is done you’ll be brought back to the Accounts windows where you can click on Ready to go and launch the app.
Adding an account from within the Mail app
If you’ve already had Mail up and running, but find you now want to add another account, then the steps are not difficult at all. First open the app, then click on the three lines in the top left hand corner. This opens up the menu bar, and in the bottom right corner you’ll see the gear icon. Click this and the Setting menu appears on the right.
At the top of the list is Accounts. Select this, and then click Add account. Now the process is exactly the same as above. Just select the type of account you want to add, then enter the email address and password. Once you’re done click on the three lines option again to open the Menu bar, and you’ll see the newly added account listed alongside your existing ones.
Deleting an account
If you decide that you no longer want an account in Mail then all you need to do is click on the three lines to open the Menu bar, right click on the account name, select Account settings, and then choose Delete account and click Delete to confirm. Martyn has been involved with tech ever since the arrival of his ZX Spectrum back in the early 80s. He covers iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, writing tutorials, buying guides and reviews for Macworld and its sister site Tech Advisor.
