There may be a great be said in favor of web-based email services for example Outlook.com, Gmail and the like, but that doesn't mean you should limit yourself to accessing your email account using your web browser.

There are many reasons why you might like to consider using a desktop app to transmit and receive emails - just as you do on your phone - and it should come as little surprise that Windows 10 includes its very own email client.

Called simply Mail, the app can handle the major webmail services for example Yahoo, iCloud and Gmail, and you may utilize it to work with a single current email address or several. In fact, this really is one of the reasons using an app for email makes a lot sense - it's so simple to access all your emails in one location, without needing to move forward emails between accounts.

So, if you've yet to delve into Mail, come along once we get you on the tour and reveal what this app can do for you personally.

1. Setting up an e-mail account

The first time you launch Mail, you will be prompted to include one or more email options - click Add Account to get started. In the case of webmail accounts, things are very simple. Choose the service you utilize and enter your email address and password when prompted. Use the Other Account option to add POP and IMAP accounts, and you'll be prompted to go in server details.

2. Adding more accounts

It's likely that you have more than one email account. One of the benefits of using the Mail app is you can access them all in the same place, so it makes sense to add more than one account. If you choose to increase the at another time, you can click the Accounts label to the left-hand side of Mail, after which click Add account before entering the required details as before.3.

3. Link your inboxes

Automatically, Mail keeps emails from different accounts separate - and you may flit between their inboxes using the menu within the left-hand pane. You may prefer to see everything in one place, however. To get this done, click on the Accounts connect to the left and then 'Link inboxes' to the right. Select several email accounts, enter reputation for the combined inbox and click on the Save button.

4. Change mailbox sync settings

Click Accounts (left), then click an account around the right. In addition to changing an account's label, you also can alter how mail is synchronised. Click 'Change mailbox sync settings' and use the drop-down menus to select how frequently Mail should check for new messages, and how far back it should download messages from your inbox. You can also sync your calendar and contacts.

5. Show or hide navigation bar

The left-hand navigation bar is handy for those who have multiple email accounts, or if you are constantly jumping between mail folders. You can declutter the interface, however, by clicking the three-line icon to the upper left from the app window. This collapses the pane to give you more space; clicking the icon again brings it back. Despite recption menus collapsed, you may still navigate.

6. Send, receive and answer mail

Sending a brand new email is as simple as clicking 'New mail' in the left-hand pane. Dealing with emails you obtain is also simple. As new mail arrives, click the relevant inbox and choose a message to see in the preview pane on the right - unread messages are highlighted in bold. Towards the top of the preview pane are buttons for replying to messages, deleting them, flagging them and much more.

7. Opening multiple messages

There might be instances when you want to see two emails side by side, however the preview pane only shows one message at any given time. To get around this, select an e-mail you need to view and click on the 'Open message in new window' button, which appears to the best of the From field. Now choose another email and do this again before repositioning the windows as necessary.

8. Email quick actions

You don't have to spread out an e-mail to do certain actions. If you hover your mouse over an email within the central inbox column, three pop-up icons appear. Begin using these to archive, delete or flag an e-mail. This latter is handy if you wish to be reminded about an email later. You may also right-click an e-mail and use the context menu to perform other actions.

9. Favourite folders

Folders are an easy way to maintain your inbox organised. Your inbox is likely divided into numerous folders by default, however, you can make more. Click 'Folders' within the left-hand pane, then click the '+' button in the menu that appears. Enter a name for the folder you're creating and press [Enter]. To create a folder into a favourite, right-click it and select 'Add to Favourites'.

10. Handy email options

There are other settings for Mail you might like to explore. In Settings > Personalisation, for example, you can alter the colour and background image utilized in the app, while the Font section enables you to tweak the appearance of email sent through each of your accounts. And in the Signature section you are able to customise the written text that's put into the end of all your outgoing emails.

Find more great content such as this in Windows Help & Advice magazine. It is full of handy Windows tutorials for getting more from your PC. You can buy the most recent issue or subscribe.