PC WFW: Differences Between Win for Workgroups Mail & PC Mail

Last reviewed: October 23, 1995
Article ID: Q94178
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 3.0 and 3.2
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, versions 3.1 and 3.11

This article describes the differences between Windows for Workgroups Mail and Microsoft Mail for PC Networks.

The Workgroup postoffice architecture is similar to the architecture for Microsoft Mail for PC Networks. This is so users with connectivity needs beyond their workgroup can easily upgrade.

The postoffice structure and Windows client are identical except for the following:

  • No Demo files are in the workgroup postoffice. Microsoft Mail for PC Networks does include these files.
  • There is no spell checker with Windows for Workgroups Mail. The spell checker is supplied with Microsoft Mail for PC Networks.
  • The postoffice in Windows for Workgroups does not support connections to external postoffices or gateways. For example, a Windows for Workgroups postoffice cannot connect to another postoffice or gateway.
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks includes support for global aliases or network group names while Windows for Workgroups Mail does not.
  • The default ADMIN.TPL and ADMIN.INF files in Windows for Workgroups Mail are created with predefined user information in the workgroup postoffice. For example, the user templates included in Windows for Workgroups Mail contain template information regarding Phone number #1, Phone number #2, Office, Department, and Notes. These must be created separately in Microsoft Mail for PC Networks.
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks includes an administration program not created in Windows for Workgroups Mail. In Windows for Workgroups, the administration program is accessed via the Mail menu in the Windows Mail client.
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks includes an administration utility that is used to administer and configure the postoffice. The ADMIN.EXE program can be used to configure and administer the postoffice from any workstation on the network running MS-DOS. In Windows for Workgroups, the administration program is accessed via the Mail menu in the Windows Mail client. Only the administrator can log on under his or her account and administer the postoffice on the workstation only.
  • The Mail client included with Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 is designed to work with Microsoft At Work PC Fax. However, At Work Fax is not supported with version 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for Windows.


Additional reference words: 3.00
KBCategory: kbother kbtlc
KBSubCategory: MailPCWFW xclnwin95 xprosfs


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Last reviewed: October 23, 1995
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