Replies Sent From Wrong Windows Mail Account

[John]

I have several e-mail accounts set-up within Windows Mail (Vista). Lately,
when I reply to a message it defaults to being sent from an account which I
rarely use, and which is not the same as the account which received the
original e-mail. I can't figure out why it's happening, or how to change it
so the correct account is used. Thanks for the help.

 

[Richard in AZ]

I have several e-mail accounts set-up within Windows Mail (Vista). Lately,
when I reply to a message it defaults to being sent from an account which I
rarely use, and which is not the same as the account which received the
original e-mail. I can't figure out why it's happening, or how to change it
so the correct account is used. Thanks for the help.

Which account is designated as the "default" account?

 

[John]

The address I received the e-mail at is my default account. When I try to
reply to that message, Windows Mail changes the "from" in my repy to another
of my e-mail accounts.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Are both addresses aliases for the same mailbox?

The address I received the e-mail at is my default account. When I try to
reply to that message, Windows Mail changes the "from" in my repy to
another of my e-mail accounts.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Do you have the Account column showing in your message list pane?
If not, add it. This will enable you to double-check that Windows Mail
has the correct account data for that message.

 

[John]

Gary, I'm not sure what you mean. Account column? How/where do you add
that? Thank you!

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

In the message list pane, right-click on any column header (Subject, From, etc.),
then select Columns. The rest is obvious.

 

[mac]

The address I received the e-mail at is my default account. When I try to
reply to that message, Windows Mail changes the "from" in my repy to
another
of my e-mail accounts.

This will be, as asked previously, a child account of another account
(e-mail address removed) and (e-mail address removed) ?

You can change the from in your reply or forward message, by using the drop
down arrow at the right hand end of the From line in the message window.

 

[John]

Oh, I understand now! Strange thing, however ... I looked at recently
received messages, and while they came into the correct e-mail address (the
default account) they are listed under the account column as being associated
with the alternate account. Everything looks right in all the mail accounts
set-up fields. I must be missing something. Thanks.

 

[John]

They are separate e-mail accounts from the same provider using the same
servers. Is this what you are asking me? I understand that I can manually
change the to/from in my reply. Thank you.

 

[mac]

They are separate e-mail accounts from the same provider using the same
servers. Is this what you are asking me? I understand that I can
manually
change the to/from in my reply. Thank you.

Yes that is correct, a 2nd account from the same account.

Try this, go to tools>accounts>account properties.

On the General Tab change the "friendly" name of the default account, so
that it is alphabetically before the other account, it should then poll for
mail before the other.

I have 14 email accounts, the one that I want to check first is named with a
preceding "A".

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Both addresses are aliases for the same mailbox. The "other account" is the
primary address and will be used by default when you Reply To or Forward a
message.

 

[John]

Ok, I'll try that. But, I thought the alphabetic polling you're referring to
only applied to "receiving mail" when you have multiple accounts. Mine is a
problem with replying to mail which has already received. Thanks!

 

[mac]

Ok, I'll try that. But, I thought the alphabetic polling you're referring
to
only applied to "receiving mail" when you have multiple accounts. Mine is
a
problem with replying to mail which has already received. Thanks!

Of course that is your problem, but if you move your default account up the
list, then replies to those NEW messages will automatically be made from the
account that received them, i.e. your default account, if this works.

Let us know how it works out please?

Others may have the same/similar problem, and a successful conclusion, or
otherwise, helps potentially thousands of other users, via search.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Well, at least part of the puzzle is unraveled. As far as Windows Mail
is concerned, those messages were received by the alternate account,
which is why when replying, the From address associated with that alternate
account is used.

 

[John]

First of all I want to thank everyone who contributed to solving my problem
and apologize for the delay in responding. I'm not too sure of what fixed
the problem, but it seems to have gone away. I re-ordered my accounts
alphabetically as suggested below; but, I also re-entered all the account
information for the primary and secondary accounts, thinking that something
may have gotten corrupted. Anyway, it is now working properly. Thanks again!