Depending on your configuration, when you compose e-mail in Outlook Express in Windows XP, the software will automatically attempt to connect to the Internet to send your e-mail.

If you have an always-on connection to the Internet, this immediacy may be useful so you don't accidentally forget to send the e-mail later. However, if you are using a dial-up connection or one where you must pay for bandwidth, you might rather have Outlook Express queue your outgoing e-mail into the "Outbox" and only send it when you click the "Send / Recv" button or when Outlook Express automatically performs a periodic send / receive action.

1. Click the "Tools" menu, selecting "Options".

2. The "Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears. Click the "Send" tab.

3. Underneath "Sending", uncheck "Send messages immediately".

4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

The first time you send a message with this option unchecked, Outlook Express will prompt you with a dialog box stating that your e-mail will not be sent until you manually choose the "Send and Receive" command. Check "Don't show me this again" to prevent this dialog box from reappearing.

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