Why do my emails delete after reading them in Outlook 2003?

Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Email Help!!!!!?

• Ok, I have Windows XP Pro, don't know if that matters but, I have Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 installed on my computer. I gives me an email box and such but I never use it. It never works, I can't send emails, none of them go through and I don't know what email address it is using from me. Anyway, I use gmail and yahoo for my email accounts and when I try to reply to someone through and email link, like on Craigslist or something, it says "starting microsoft office outlook as your email editor" But I can't use it and don't want to. How do I change that to have my gmail or yahoo email pop up to be my email editor so I know my email will go through and keep track of it? Does anybody know what I am talking about and can help me? Please I have no idea what to do!!!! If anyone needs more info about it to help me post a response to it and I will try and provide what you need. Thanks for reading and I hope this doesn't seem confusing!

• Answer:

  Outlook pops up because it is set as your default email program in Internet Explorer. (In IE, Tools, Internet Options, Programs, Set Programs). I don't know that you can change this to use a shortcut to Yahoo or any other web based email. The option is to setup Outlook as described by Edward.