Get a Classic Interface for Windows 8 Mail

[tourmaster]

Windows 8 mail is clunky and difficult to understand particularly for older users. I know that there are plenty of Windows 8 menu replacements but is there such a thing as a Classic interface for the new Mail app?

 

[jimmysmitty]

From what I have seen, haven't used it personally, it looks pretty clean. I would say clunky was Vistas mail system while Live Mail was great.

You have two options from what I can tell. You can wait till 8.1 comes out next week and you get an updated and better version, which looks a lot like Outlook.com:

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/operating-systems/mail-in-windows-8-1-how-microsoft-is-finally-giving-it-some-power-1163446

Or you can download and install Windows Essentials:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-essentials-2012-system-requirements

I would say wait till 8.1 as it looks cleaner but if you want a desktop style app, Windows Essentials is the way to go.

 

[tourmaster]

From what I have seen, haven't used it personally, it looks pretty clean. I would say clunky was Vistas mail system while Live Mail was great.

You have two options from what I can tell. You can wait till 8.1 comes out next week and you get an updated and better version, which looks a lot like Outlook.com:

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/operating-systems/mail-in-windows-8-1-how-microsoft-is-finally-giving-it-some-power-1163446

Or you can download and install Windows Essentials:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-essentials-2012-system-requirements

I would say wait till 8.1 as it looks cleaner but if you want a desktop style app, Windows Essentials is the way to go.

 

[tourmaster]

Thanks JimmySmitty but I had already pursued the Windows Essentials track with poor results. The Australian telco Telstra has entered into a deal with Microsoft where apparently if you establish a Microsoft Live Account your original Email is routed through Outlook.com and is no longer available for direct access as a POP account.
Bought and downloaded Microsoft SkyCap Mail program but it installed automatically and was no better than the native windows 8 Mail.

 

[jimmysmitty]

I am sorry about that.

Have you looked at the one coming in 8.1 in the link I posted? It does look much better, more like Outlook.com which I like a lot more than even GMail.

That may be your best bet.