How to Check Your Gmail Account With the Google Toolbar

The Google Toolbar gives you the ability to carry out a range of Web-related activities within an interface that is very user-friendly. You can search a variety of databases using the toolbar’s search field, send Web pages to your blog or mobile phone and translate Web pages—all with just a few mouse clicks. If you have a Gmail account, you can also customize the Google Toolbar with a button that allows you to access your Gmail account with one mouse click. And if you use Firefox, you can also make Gmail your default Web e-mail client.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Google Toolbar
• Gmail account
• Internet connection
• Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows ME or Windows 98
• Latest version of Internet Explorer or Firefox

Get a Custom Gmail Button for the Google Toolbar (for Internet Explorer)

1. Click the “Settings” button on the Google Toolbar, and choose the “Buttons” tab.
2. Click the “Add” button on the “Buttons” tab—this is located in the center of the window, to the right.
3. Type “Gmail” into the search field on the Google Custom Buttons page and click “Search.”
4. Click the Gmail “Add to Toolbar” button on the search results page.
5. Click “Add” and then “OK” to add the button to your toolbar.

Add a Gmail Button to the Google Toolbar (for Firefox)

6. Click the “Options” button on the Google Toolbar and select the “Search” tab.
7. Check the box labeled “Gmail” under the “Add Custom Buttons” heading in the “Search” tab.
8. Click “OK” to save your changes and exit the window.

Accessing Your Gmail Account From the Google Toolbar

9. Click the Gmail button on your toolbar to navigate directly to your Gmail account.
10. Check the “Remember me on this Computer” box at the sign-in page if you would like to skip the sign-in step when you use Gmail.

Make Gmail Your Default Email Client (Firefox only)

11. Click the “Options” button and choose the “Browsing” tab.
12. Check the box labeled “Send with Gmail.”
13. Clicking on e-mail links in Web pages will open a Gmail composition page. Use this composition page as you would normally use Gmail.

Tips & Warnings

• Checking the “Remember me on this Computer” box means you’ll always be logged into Gmail and other Google services such as Google Groups and the Google Newsreader.
• While you can’t make Gmail your default e-mail client in Internet Explorer using the Google Toolbar, you can use the “Send to” menu to e-mail Web links using Gmail.
• If you check the “Remember me on this Computer” box to avoid signing in every time you access your Gmail account, be aware that anyone else who uses your computer will be able to access your account too.