17th September 2002
Question: I use different identities for my family members in Outlook Express. Normally I can go to File then Switch Identity but since I installed Windows XP Service Pack 1, that doesn't work any more. Now all that opens is the main identity, is there a way to fix this?
Answer: I'm sorry to say that there is not a fix for this issue but Microsoft does acknowledge it as a problem. Don't stop reading yet though, I won't leave you high and dry as there might not be a fix but there is a workaround to your Outlook Express identity problem. What you need to do is go to File|Identities|Manage Identities. Once you are in the Manage Identities window, you need to clear the check box next to "Use this identity when starting a program" and then close Outlook Express. From now on whenever you open Outlook Express it will prompt you for an identity and this will allow you to switch identities. According to Microsoft you can use the Switch Identity option now but it will prompt you to switch identities twice. I guess you can say this is alternative therapy for Outlook Express' identity crisis.