Let's assume you are using Outlook Express for your e-mail.

• Open your Microsoft Outlook Express e-mail program, like you want to read your e-mail.
• Near the top left corner there is a Tools menu. Click on the "Tools" menu.
• Click on the "Options" choice near the bottom of the Tools menu.
• Options has seven or eight tabs on top -- you want the second one labeled "Send."
• On the Send tab menu the section you want to change is at the top under "Mail sending format."

Important Note: We are going to change ONLY ONE tiny little thing -- don't change ANYTHING else, please. REALLY.

• Click in the little circle to the left of "Plain text" to choose the option "Plain text" under "Mail sending format."
• Now, to save your new plain text selection, click on the "Apply" box in the lower right corner of the box.
• Also, in the "Settings..." box next to your "plain text" choice, you might want to check to be sure that these settings are in use:
• Message format: MIME
• Encode text using: None
• Automatically wrap text at 70 (or 65 or 60) characters.
• [X] Indent the original text with ">" when replying or forwarding
• Finally click "OK" and then click "Apply" again.

The next time you write a message, it will be in plain text (suitable for all e-mail programs and for worldwide discussion groups), not HTML.