In a household where family members share a computer, it is natural that you might not want others prying into your Outlook Express email account. Thankfully, the designers of Outlook Express were cognizant of that possibility and added a feature---identities---which allows you to password-protect your account and saved messages. Create an identity for yourself in Outlook Express to restrict others from using your account.
Step 1
Launch Outlook Express. Click the "File" menu, then click "Identities" and "Manage Identities."
Step 2
Click "Main Identity," then click "Properties."
Step 3
Click the "Require a password" check box, then type a password twice. Click "OK," then click "Close" to return to the main Outlook Express window.
Step 4
Close Outlook Express. The password that you selected will now be required in order to Launch Outlook Express and log in to the main identity.
Warning
- Adding an identity for yourself in Outlook Express should only be considered a "first line of defense" if your saved messages contain truly sensitive data. It is possible to use third-party programs to extract data from the Outlook Express resource files, which would make it possible for someone who is truly determined to read your email.
