Outlook Express is a basic email program included in Internet Explorer 4.x and 5.x, as well as Microsoft Windows up through Windows 2000. While similar to Microsoft Outlook, it does not have that program's more advanced and business-friendly features. Outlook Express' primary purpose is to allow a home user to connect to an existing web-based email account, such as one provided by their Internet
. Service Provider (ISP), or a free service like Hotmail.Since Outlook Express connects to a pre-existing email account, the user's email is also readily accessible online through a web browser, or on another computer or mobile device. Said computer does not need to be running Outlook Express; only a web browser and Internet access are required. The user must also know the username and password of the account they are attempting to access, as well as what company provides their email service. Examples include AT&T or AOL.Access to an ISP or web-based email account varies depending on the service, but is easily found either on the service's homepage or via a Google search. As an example, assume that the user has configured their Outlook Express to check their AOL email account. To access that same account online, the user must find the service's log-in page: in this case, webmail.aol.com. Once there, they must provide their username and password exactly as typed into Outlook Express in order to access that same account. If the user does not know their username or password, they must request re-verification and/or a new password from the service provider.The steps outlined above allow the user to check their email account online without starting Outlook Express, or while using a different computer which does not have Outlook Express installed. Emails which are downloaded to the user's PC and then erased from the web servers are not accessible online. Instructing Outlook Express to save or leave copies of messages on the web server can prevent this.