Alternative to Outlook Express for Windows 7

For almost a decade I've relied on Outlook Express on my Windows XP system.

I also have a Windows 7 64 bit pro system. I'm looking for something that will allow me to receive email on that particular system.
In its 'wisdom' Microsoft decided to ditch Outlook Express. It currently offers Windows Live Mail, of which I'm unsure what it actually IS and will be in the future.
Privacy is a major issue, issues such as what Microsoft has access to (e.g. spam filter), storage on Microsoft servers, cloud services, data sent to MS matter.
Not only the current situation but also the future.

The Hotmail and Windows Live ??/Windows Live Mail situation is somewhat confusing.

I just need a simple (!) program that will allow me to receive emails from my regular ISP. Nothing else, no integration with web based email. Also, if a program is offered for free I usually wonder who is offering the program for free and why. Security and in particular privacy.

I have done some reading and there are lots of programs but I have no idea which ones suit my needs and which ones I can trust.

Suggestions please ?

 

After many years of using OE on XP (just like you), when I finally migrated to Win7 I found myself in the same boat you're in.
I went with MS Outlook 2010.
Pretty easy to export old OE files over, and I didn't want a web-based client, so Outlook was perfect.

 

It is part of MS Office, isn't it ? I don't have that I that computer.

 

I ran into the same problem when I got my Win 7 computer, but I switched from Microsoft to Mozilla Thunderbird.
Easy to import the old mail and easy to use.
/Don

 

Right. Neither did I... or actually, the computer came with Office Home & Student, which does not include Outlook.
So I purchased Outlook 2010 separately.
There is an academic version available for a few dollars less, if that works for you.

 

Same here.

I replaced it in Win 7 with 'Mozilla Thunderbird'. 'Windows Live Mail' was not a good 'Outlook Express' replacement to me - I uninstalled all 'Windows Live' app. related (it install services, task schedules, etc. that is a non sense for what I want: a simple E-Mail manager).

'Thunderbird' is suitable and I have no issues with it (I don't update it since I installed some months ago; not needed to me updates that doesn't add anythink special to my needs). Using yet 'Spamihilator' to rid off spams.

 

Is Thunderbird easy or hard to use ? I've read conflicting reports.

I have no experience with that program, Firefox or other Mozilla programs for as far as I know.

 

@ Fly, like others you need waste some time to configure it (no problems to do that here). After that is like your old 'Outlook Express': use and forget settings.

 

I've been using a 64 bit variant of Thunderbird, called Earlybird. I'm using the Thunderbird 10 build, which I find extremely stable. Been using it about 5 months, and I'm very happy so far.

http://wiki.mozilla-x86-64.com/Thunderbird:Download

I know the download says Thunderbird, but once installed it's Earlybird.

 

You can disable smilies in the post so there will be no smilie. You can edit your post, or maybe a mod would be so kind to do it for you.

 

I will be in the same boat when I go from XP to Win 7.
I haven't yet decided, maybe Thunderbird, maybe Outlook, maybe The Bat!, and now a new suggestion Earlybird (thanks Cimmerian).

 

Done...thanks Sometimes the old noggin needs a little kick...

 

And thanks to you for your suggestion.

 

My pleasure...hope it works as well for any of you who try it as it does for me.

 

I am using Windows Live Mail. It has worked well.
Jerry

 

+1 for Thunderbird.

portable version available as well @ portableapps.com

 

Thunderbird here. I was an OE MVP for four years. Used OE under Win XP, been using T-Bird since going to Win 7, very happy with it.

 

I use Thunderbird with the Lightning calendar extension. Thunderbird is free, full featured, and very easy to work with.

 

Using Thunderbird here also. I tried Windows Live Mail and didn't like it, so Thunderbird is my choice. Very easy to use and nice format.

 

Just to add to the suggestions above, I really like EMclient. It's especially good if you use GMail as it will sync up your Inbox, Calendar, Contacts and Tasks right out of the box - no addons or anything required.

http://www.emclient.com/

It's free for non-commercial use and if you use two e-mail accounts or less, otherwise, there is a paid version. Hope this helps.

 

Even though you may not need new features, I feel better about keeping it updated, considering that it has a web browser within. That Ubisoft Uplay plugin showed up in my Thunderbird even though I generally use Chrome.

 

Security fixes here:
https://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/thunderbird.html

I personally wish that the browser capability wasn't built in.

 

+1 on that..

 

I understand your feeling and concern about indeed. Thanks for point it out. Since I'm using Thunderbird over SandboxIE supervision always, such isn't an issue that could carry some thoughts here.

BTW, just installed 'Dropbox for Filelink' extension. Excellent and works very well:

 

I second the nomination of Thunderbird as a replacement for Outlook Express. I performed this conversion about two years ago when I upgraded from XP to Widows 7. The Thunderbird GUI looks similar, it has basically the same folder/sub-folder capabitlity, and the conversion of existing OE messages is faily straight forward. I highly recommend it....