I'm not 100% sure, but I think that if Outlook (and this does _not_ apply to Outlook Express) is set to compose messages in HTML rather than plain text, the default is to use MS Word as the composer. You can either change the Outlook configuration to compose all messages in plain text or uncheck the check box that says to use Word when composing. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:15 AM Subject: off topic computer issues Hi everyone; My xyl is having one or two annoying computer problems that I suspect someone here can easily solve. She has subscribed to a list or two and there are "links" that one can enter on if you want to reply to a particular party. When clicking on that link we should open a new message in outlook. For what ever reason, when you enter on a link now you open a word document. She is using windows xp and outlook express. Secondly, have any laptop users found an easy way to change the sensitivity or turn off the mouse pad mounted below the key board? Her smaller hands don't bother it. When I use it, however, I am always bumping the thing and ending up somewhere I don't want to be. I vaguely recall that there may have been an adjustment in the sys tray but last time I got annoyed with the thing I wasn't able to find it. Thanks in advance Rich