Setting Up Outlook

Although the Internet was born in 1969, it wasn't until the 1980s that it became widely used. Soon the use of email began to grow in popularity as a messaging system that allowed users to communicate electronically and even attach photographs and documents. Outlook is one such email system.

How to set up OutlookR 2012

The first requirement to set up Outlook is the obvious-you must be connected to the Internet. When a connection is established, type in www.outlook.com in the search bar to create your Outlook account.

Click the "Sign Up" box on the bottom left-hand side.
After clicking, you will be presented with a screen asking for your personal information: first and last name, your date of birth and gender.
In the second part of the screen, you will be asked for a user name. You can either use your real name or choose a pseudonym. For professional purposes, your real name gives you more credibility than, for instance, "stargazer."
You will be asked to create a password of minimum eight characters and to re-enter that password. Pick something that is not too obvious, yet easy for you to remember. Memorize the password or write it down.
The next step involves a procedure where Outlook can help you to recover your password should you forget it. For cell phones, enter your phone number starting with your country's area code. A text message and new password will be sent to the number you provide.
You can also enter an alternate email address instead of a phone number.
In the final step you will be asked for your country of residence and your postal ZIP code.
To finalize the process, you are required to type in a security code that appears in odd shaped letters on the screen. To prove that you're a real person and not a robot, retype exactly what you see in the box.
When you're done, click the "I accept" button.

Sending emails

Now you can begin to send emails:

Type the email address of the person you wish to communicate with-for instance, 'janedoe@outlook.com'. If you want multiple people to receive this email, type in the next email address. If you want them copied, use the CC option, or blind copy, BCC.
In the body of the email, you can choose how you want the text to appear. The email toolbar offers you different types of fonts also in different sizes, bolded, italics or underlined. You can even choose the text color or if you want a particular word or sentence highlighted.
To create a list, select numbers or bullets.
Choose how you want the text to appear as indented or with right, left or center alignment.
You can insert a hyperlink or a smiley face to give your message a personal touch.
Should you wish to attach a file to your message, click the "paperclip" icon. An attachment can be any kind of text file, a picture or a PDF file.

Managing Outlook

As you get more familiar with your Outlook account, click the wheel on the top right hand side and select "More email settings." Five categories will present you with features to manage your email account.

Setting up Outlook is simple, and once your account is created, you never have to repeat the process. In case you're worried about forgetting your password, click "Keep me signed in" the first time you use your account and you won't have to worry about it anymore.