To create an auto-reply message in Outlook Express

Click the Start button and choose Programs > Accessories > Notepad. Type your message, being sure to put the word "Subject:" on the first line along with the title, followed by a blank line, followed by whatever message text you want. For example: Subject: I'm Away From The Office

Sorry I missed your message. If you need to get in touch with someone, please e-mail my associate Fred Flintstone (Fred@wacko.com) or wait until the 18rd, when I'll be back.

Choose File > Save. Click the Save In drop-down menu and choose Desktop. (Strictly speaking, you don't HAVE to save the message file to your desktop. You can keep the file in whatever folder you want.) Double-click the File Name field and type whatever you want to call the reply message; just be sure that it ends with the extension eml (for example, Business Reply.eml). Click Save. Choose File > Exit to close out Notepad. 

Make a Rule to Send Your Auto Reply

1. In the Tools menu choose Message Rules.
2. In the Message Rules dialog box, choose Mail.
3. In Box #1 select the last choice For All Messages.
4. In Box #2 select the choice Reply with Message.
5. In Box #3 click the underlined message.
6. This will open an Open menu. You will then select the document containing your saved auto reply message from the first set of instructions.
7. Select the file and click Open.
8. In Box #4, name your rule as Auto Reply, then click OK.
9. Another screen will open to verify your selected rule. Choose Apply Now.
10. A second screen opens with info on where to apply the rule. Be sure that the Inbox is listed as the folder, then click Apply Now, then click on Close. This will return you to the previous screen where you will finally click OK.

Remember that your computer has to be on and Outlook Express running and checking mail for this to work!!

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