for some strange reason when i try to log into my hotmail email account it automatically redirects me to outlook express. how can this be rectified ? apologies if this is a re-post but i searched and couldnt find anything. thanks in advance

This happend when you click on the icon to check yopur emails right ? On Outlook you need to find a option that says something like "use outlook as predetermined"

On IE7 there is the same option.. Tools / Internet options / Programs