When it comes to checking for new messages, you have two options. You can manually check for new messages or you can configure Windows Mail to automatically check for messages. Checking for messages manually is useful if you are using a slow Internet connection. On the other hand, if you are using a high speed connection, having Windows mail check for new messages every few minutes might be more convenient.

To configure Windows Mail to automatically check for messages:

1. Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Mail.
2. Click the Tools menu and then click Options.
3. Click the General tab
4. Click the Check for new messages every X minute(s) check box.
5. To change how often Windows Mail checks for new messages, enter a number between 1 and 480 in the Check for new messages every X minute(s) box.