TechDivision - How to set up a vacation message in Outlook Express

How to set up a vacation message in Outlook Express

Tel : 020 8891 3010

Step 1 – Writing your vacation message

Open a folder to store your vacation message. e.g. 'My Documents'. Then right-click on the blank space in the folder and choose 'New > Text Document'.

The new message file is called 'New Text Document'. Type a memorable filename for your message, e.g. 'email reply', then press Enter.

Double-click your message file to open it. Type in your vacation message.

Once you are happy with your message, close the document and save it.

Step 2 - Setting up Outlook Express

For the vacation message to work, you must leave your computer on with Outlook Express running throughout the time you are away. Outlook Express needs to check for new emails automatically, so it must be connected to the internet.

Start Outlook Express and go to 'Tools > Options...'.

In the Options window, make sure that 'Check for new messages every 30 minute(s)' is checked (see the red circle). 30 minutes is a sensible value to use. Also choose 'Connect even when working offline' from the drop-down list.

Go to 'Tools > Message Rules > Mail...'.

In the 'Message Rules' window, click 'New...'.

To make the new rule, check 'For all messages' in the first section. In the second section, choose 'Reply with message'. Then click on the blue 'message' link.

A new explorer window opens. Click on the 'Files of type...' box at the bottom, and choose 'Text (*.txt)' from the drop-down list. Then find the message file you saved earlier, and click 'Open'.

In the last section, type a sensible name for the rule e.g. 'Out of Office reply'. Then click 'OK'.

Step 3 - Turning your vacation message on and off.

In the 'Message Rules' window, you can turn your vacation message on/off by checking/unchecking the box next to the rule (see the red circle).