A reader recently posted the following tip as an alternative to another reader's solution at http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/ArticleID/21941/21941.html. Unlike the original solution, this one doesn't use a batch file. Several other readers posted their solutions as well. Forum members, which solution do you prefer?

Anne Grubb, Web site strategic editor (formerly Exchange & Outlook Pro VIP editor)

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How can I start a new E-mail message from a desktop shortcut? SIMPLE...

It isn't difficult to create a new e-mail message in Outlook: Just click the toolbar's New button when the Inbox folder is displayed. Starting a new e-mail message this way naturally requires that Outlook is running, but many users don't keep Outlook running on the desktop. For these users, simplify the task of sending a new e-mail by creating a mailto: item shortcut on the desktop or in the Quick Start menu.

Follow these steps to create a mailto: item shortcut:
1. Right-click the desktop and choose New | Shortcut.
2. In the Create Shortcut dialog box, enter mailto: as the item to launch and click Next.
3. Specify New Mail Message as the shortcut name, then click Finish.
4. Drag the shortcut to the Quick Start toolbar to make it quickly accessible without minimizing all applications.

When the user double-clicks the shortcut, Outlook launches and will prompt the user for a profile unless there is one set as the default. However, only the new message form appears--the rest of Outlook stays hidden, running in the background. Outlook doesn't consume any CPU time unless the user is actually sending a message; the rest of the time it waits silently until it's needed again.