To set up an autoresponder in Outlook, let's first create the message used for the reply:

* Make sure Word is not enabled as the email editor in Outlook.

* Start a new message.

* Type the Subject and message of your auto-reply.

* Try to include when people mailing you in your absence can expect a personal answer. This might be some time after you will have returned.

* Optionally, you can add Cc: and Bcc: recipients to send a copy of each automatic reply.

* Select File | Save As... from the menu.

* Make sure Outlook Template is selected under Save as type:.

* Optionally, choose a File name: different from the subject.

* Click Save.

Now we can create the autoresponder rule:

* Select Tools | Rules and Alerts... from the menu in the main Outlook window.

* Click New Rule....

* Click Start from a blank rule.

* Make sure Check messages when they arrive is selected.

* Click Next .

* Click Next >

* Click Next >* Check reply using a specific template under Select action(s).

* Click on a specific template under Edit the rule description.

* Select User Templates in File System under Look In:.

* Highlight the template created before.

* Click Open.

* Click Next .

* Check Except if it is an Out of Office message under Select exception(s).

* Click Next >

* Click Next >* Optionally, check Create this rule on all accounts.

* Keep in mind, though, that filters do not work with Hotmail and other HTTP accounts (for which this checkbox will not create them).

* Click Finish.

* Click OK.