Reading mail messages offline

When you work offline, Outlook Express downloads mail messages to your local computer. When you choose to work online again, messages you marked for deletion are removed, messages in your Outbox are sent, and all other actions taken offline are completed.

There are two situations where it is beneficial to use Outlook Express offline:

• If your ISP charges you by the hour or if you have only one phone line. Under these conditions, you might want to reduce time spent online.
• If you use a laptop to read your messages while you are traveling or any other time you are not connected to the Internet.

Note

• Working offline is different from being disconnected. When you are disconnected, Outlook Express takes action to reconnect you. When working offline, Outlook Express knows that you want to remain offline until you choose to work online, when it will initiate all actions taken while offline.