Is it possible to prevent Outlook Express from downloading messages exceeding a certain size? I noticed this feature is available in Outlook, but I have not been able to find a similar feature in Outlook Express. Also, can you tell me whether updates for Internet Explorer are included in Windows Automatic Updates?

This is quite a good question, and is very commonly asked. Limiting the size of downloaded messages is good practice for some situations, such as when you are on the road using dial-up internet and you do not want to download large messages. In such cases, the message will be retained on the server so you can download the message at a later date (e.g. when you are back at the office or home, on a faster internet connection).

Unfortunately, there is no specific feature like in Outlook to limit the size of messages to download using Outlook Express. However, there is a way around this issue using the Message Rules feature in Outlook Express. This feature allows you to set certain actions based on criteria. Fortunately, one of the criteria relates to the size of the message, and an available action is not to download the message from the server. Open Outlook Express and go to the ‘Tools’ menu > ‘Message Rules’ > ‘Mail’. If you don’t have any existing rules configured, the New Mail Rule window will appear (however, if you do have rules configured already the Message Rules window will appear - in this case, just click the ‘Mail Rules’ tab and the ‘New’ button). First, we need to define the criteria for the mail rule. In the ‘1. Select the Conditions for your rule’ box tick the criteria ‘Where the message size is more than size’. Second, we need to define the action for such messages. In the ‘2. Select the Action for your rule’ box tick ‘Do not Download it from the server’. Third, we need to define the size limit for the messages. In the ‘3. Rule Description’ box you will notice the rules are now in text form, and the ’size’ is blue underlined. This indicates the value can be modified. Click ’size’ and the Set Size window should appear. Enter the size limit (in KB) you would like to impose, and click OK. You will see the value is now present in the message rule text. Finally, give the message rule a name, such as ‘Size download limit’ (or anything you like). Click OK to save and close the rule. The Message Rules window will appear with the message rule listed. Make sure the rule is enabled (ticked) and double-check the rule information text is correct (in the Rule Description box). If all looks good, click OK to save and close. The rule is now implemented and active.

Regarding your second question about Internet Explorer updates, they are included in Windows Automatic Updates. The Automatic Updates download updates which are relevant to Windows and the built in applications, including Internet Explorer.