Password-Protect the Outlook Express In-Box

Published: Jul 1, 2003
Updated: Feb 2, 2021
1 minute read
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Is there a way to make the Outlook Express in-box private, using a password?

Arturo Meneses

You can password-protect your in-box using OEs Identities feature. From the menu select File | Identities | Add New Identity. Define a secondary identity, which you will not actually use; do nothing but give it a name. Do not switch to the new identity when prompted. Then select your own main identity and click on the Properties button. Check the Require a Password box and enter the password you want to use. Click on OK, then on Close.

After doing this one-time procedure, you must always close OE by choosing Exit and Log Off Identity from the File menu rather than merely selecting Exit. This menu item is disabled unless multiple identities are defined. (Thats why you created the nonfunctional secondary identity.) When you log off in this way, nobody can launch OE without supplying the password.

The initial release of Outlook Express 6.0 had a problem with switching identities. If you use version 6.0, be sure to update it with Service Pack 1.

Neil J. Rubenking

Neil Rubenking served as vice president and president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years when the IBM PC was brand new. He was present at the formation of the Association of Shareware Professionals and served on its board of directors. In 1986, PC Magazine brought Neil on board to handle the influx of Turbo Pascal tips submitted by readers. By 1990, he had become PC Magazine's technical editor and a coast-to-coast telecommuter. His "User to User" column provided readers with tips and solutions on using DOS and Windows, while his technical columns clarified fine points in programming and operating systems. His utility articles—over forty in total—featured useful programs and programming examples in Pascal, Visual Basic, and Delphi. Mr. Rubenking has written seven books on DOS, Windows, and Pascal/Delphi programming, including PC Magazine DOS Batch File Lab Notes and the popular Delphi Programming for Dummies. In his current role as a PC Magazine Lead Analyst, he evaluates and reports on client-side operating systems and security solutions, such as firewalls, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, and full security suites. He continues to answer readers' questions in the ongoing "Solutions" column and on PC Magazine's discussion forums.

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