These are protocols in your mailing program that allow for automatic handling of messages with certain characteristics. For example you can set up a folder for messages from a mailing list. A filter can be used to move all incoming messages from that mailing list to the specified folder. Another popular thing to do is set a size filter. Then if a message is larger than a certain size it can either be deleted from the server or not accepted. This saves connection time charges for huge files.

In Outlook Express the filtering system is not intuitive. Even the help files do not say how to do this. However, in the Tools menu click on Message Rules and select mail. A display box will show all the rules that are currently being applied to messages.

 

If you are just setting up the first filter the box will be empty. Click on the Add button. A dialog box is displayed which allows you to specify the type of message the filter will apply to (to a certain address, from a certain sender, on a certain subject, above a given size etc) Below is the action to be taken if a message meets the criteria. These actions include move or copy to a folder, forward, reply with a preset message, don't download
from the server or delete from the server.

 

When you have set the rule click on OK and you will see the rule summarized in the Message Rules display. The current rules can be removed or the properties changed
.