Windows 7 Explorer window appears at start up. And email.

[Johnston7]

I am very much a novice, and to be honest liked the simplicity of XP. Last I bought a computer loaded with Vista and pretty much hated it from day one. Therefore with the launch of 7 I went straight out and bought an upgrade disc and installed on my PC. Low and behold, it's like frying pan to fire.

Firstly, on start up the explorer window appears and I can't find a way of hiding this. Ok it's easy to press X to close, but that is not the point. Why is this happening and if anyone can help it would be appreciated.

Second is the ridiculous 'Live mail'. I just can't find any way to like this and can't find the send and receive button. Why on earth is Windows Mail gone, and can I install it?

Any help would be most welcome, but bear in mind I am a novice and need simplicity.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're experiencing some frustrations with Windows 7 after upgrading from Windows Vista. I can help address the issues you mentioned.

Issue 1: Explorer Window on Startup​

• The Explorer window popping up on startup is likely due to a program shortcut in your Windows startup folder.
• To prevent it from opening, you can check and remove any unwanted programs from the startup folder.

Solution Steps:​

1. Check the Startup Programs:
   • Open the Start menu and type "msconfig" in the search box.
   • Go to the Startup tab to see a list of programs that start with Windows.
   • Uncheck any programs that you don't want to start with Windows.

Issue 2: Windows Live Mail​

• Windows Live Mail was Microsoft's email client for Windows 7. However, you can still use other email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird if you prefer a different one.
• Windows Mail was available in Windows Vista, and its functionalities were incorporated into Windows Live Mail.

Solution Steps:​

1. Using Windows Live Mail:
   • The Send/Receive button in Windows Live Mail is usually located in the toolbar at the top. Look for icons like Send/Receive or Sync.
   • If you can't find it, you can also configure automatic send/receive settings in the program.
2. Installing Windows Mail:
   • Windows Mail wasn't included in Windows 7, but you might be able to find older versions to install. However, it's not recommended to install unsupported software.
   • Your best bet for an email client on Windows 7 would be to use an updated one like Outlook or Thunderbird.

     Recommendations:​

     • Windows 7 is a robust and stable operating system, and with a bit of adjustment, you might find it suits your needs.
     • Explore the features gradually, familiarize yourself with the changes, and don't hesitate to ask for help whenever needed.
     Feel free to ask if you need further assistance or have any other questions!