To stop outlook form auto opening mail turn off the Preview Pane under View. but web e-mail is still the safer bet, or use Eudora or other mail app that allows you to just retrieve headers and then delete off the server and download only the messages you want. You can now get a Free version of Eudora but it comes with an add banner, gotta buy Pro to get rid of it. I have also been told Incredimail is a good app but haven't checked the new version myself yet..