Main Window
The Main window contains the basic layout of the program which shows up initially, and from which all other functions are available. It provides access to your email accounts, folders, contacts, messages, and tools.
It is divided into four main sections: Folder List, Contact List, Message List, and Preview Pane. These sections work together to allow you to manage your emails efficiently.
Folder List (top-left section)
Folders are the basic storage units for your email organization. They are divided into two main groups:
- Local Folders: These folders are used as a destination for POP accounts or any other locally stored email, storing downloaded emails locally on your computer. These emails are not in the cloud but are stored as files on your disk drive. Local Folders are always present and cannot be removed, however, if needed, you can move them up or down the folder list.
- Account Folders (IMAP or remote folders): When using IMAP (cloud) accounts, each account has its own dedicated folder structure displayed separately in the Folder List in its own container. Some of the folders may be repeated (like the main folders - Inbox/Sent Items/Drafts/Junk/Deleted Items) but these are just cloud (remote) versions of the equivalent local folders. As cloud or IMAP folders are remote folders, this allows you to directly access and manage emails stored on the email server. Remote folders are stored locally but only as cache so that the emails do not need to be transferred all the time, but the cache should not be considered permanent and can be updated at any given time as the storage on the server changes (unless the program is placed in "Work Offline" mode, when the update doesn't occur). Just like the Local Folders, the account folders can be also moved up or down.
Folder types
Within each Account Folder, you'll typically find standard folders like:
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Inbox
- This is the main entry point for all incoming emails.
- Every new message first lands here unless a filter, rule, or user action redirects it elsewhere (e.g., into a custom folder).
- Since emails must arrive somewhere by default, the Inbox is mandatory in all email systems.
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Outbox
- Temporary holding area for messages you've composed but that haven't been successfully sent yet.
- When you press Send, the email goes into the Outbox.
- If the connection to the mail server is available, the email is sent quickly, and then moved to Sent Items.
- If there's no connection (offline, server error, etc.), the email stays in the Outbox until sending succeeds.
- If you see emails stuck here for a long time, something is wrong with sending. You can delete the email from this folder if other emails are stuck because of a single email (usually the oldest one by time/date). Alternatively you can double click the email to edit it again and possibly remove the misbehaving content (such as too large attachment) and then send it again after editing.
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Sent Items
- Archive of all successfully sent messages.
- Every time an email is sent, it is automatically copied here for reference.
- The email is removed from Outbox once delivery is confirmed and placed here.
- Useful for confirming what you actually sent, when, and to whom.
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Deleted Items (Trash/Recycle Bin)
- A safety net for deleted messages.
- When you delete an email, it goes here instead of being removed immediately.
- You can restore messages from here if deleted by mistake.
- If you empty this folder (or OE Classic auto-clears it), emails are permanently erased.
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Drafts
- Storage for unfinished or unsent emails (when you click "Save" in the message editor).
- If you start writing a message but don't send it yet, you can save it here to continue later. Double click it to reopen it and continue editing.
- When you finish and press Send, the draft moves out of this folder, temporarily into Outbox, and then to Sent Items after sending.
- Great for preparing emails in advance without immediately sending them.
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Junk Email (Spam)
- Quarantine for suspicious or unwanted messages.
- Emails flagged by spam filters, or from blocked senders, land here.
- You can create rules that send specific unwanted mail into this folder.
- Sometimes, legitimate emails (false positives) end up here by mistake.
- This folder exists so you can double-check suspicious mail before it's permanently discarded.
- It's good practice to review it occasionally to recover anything that was misclassified.
You can create custom folders within both Local Folders and Account Folders to further organize your emails.
Contact List (bottom-left section)
The Contact List (located on the left side of the window) stores information about your email contacts. This allows you to easily address emails, manage groups, and view contact details.
- Adding Contacts: You can add new contacts manually or import them from various sources.
- Contact Groups: Create lists of contacts for sending group emails.
Message List (top-right section)
The Message List (the central area of the window) displays a list of emails within the currently selected folder. Each row represents an individual email.
- Columns: The Message List typically includes columns for From, Subject, Received Date/Time, Account, and Size.
- Sorting and Customizing Columns: You can sort the message list by any column to quickly find specific emails. To sort, click the column itself (which is just above the list of messages). Clicking once will sort in an ascending order. Clicking again will sort in a descending order. Any column can be clicked. You can also rearrange the columns by dragging them left or right and dropping into desired position. Additionally if you right mouse click over the columns you can select "Columns" option from the popup menu which will show you more options for customizing like showing or hiding columns or specifying their exact width in pixels.
- Icon Columns: Some columns show icons. Their meaning is - Watch on/off (Eye icon), Flag (Flag icon), Read/Replied/Forwarded/Draft indicator (shown as small arrows next to the envelope icon). Yellow envelope indicates unread email, and the grey one read email. The presence of attachments is shown with a small paperclip icon.
Preview Pane (bottom-right section)
The Preview Pane (located at the bottom of the window) displays the content of the selected email in a readable format.
- Header Information: Shows details like sender, recipient(s), date, and subject.
- Message Body: Displays the full text of the email message.
- Attachments: If an email has attachments, they are listed below the message body with paperclip icons. Clicking on an attachment will open it in its associated program.
- Message/Source Tabs: Allows you to switch between viewing the formatted message and the raw source code of the email.
Other Important Elements:
- Title Bar: Displays the program name and current folder.
- Main Menu Bar: Provides access to all program functions (File, Edit, View, Tools, Help).
- Main Toolbar: Contains frequently used commands like New Email, Reply, Forward, Delete, Send/Receive, etc.
- Status Bar: Displays information about the current operation and number of unread messages.
By understanding these sections, you can effectively navigate and manage your emails within OE Classic.
