Windows Mail - delays in sending emails

I am new to Windows Mail (comes with my new laptop - Vista Home Premium OS)
and whilst I can operate all functions (send receive delete etc) these are
not smooth in operation.
When writing new emails and sending - these will not send without first
closing down Windows Mail and then reopening and clicking the Send and
Receive button again.
Also the numbers of emails after the headings eg Inbox or Sent (2) do not
disappear when the read or sent again until Windows Mail is closed then
reopened.
Is there a software patch/update that I am missing?
Secondly it is preferable to change to Windows Mail Live - is this a better
software program? Can this be done simply?
Previously I have always used Outlook Express.
How do I transfer my Address Book (Outlook Express) from my Desktop (Windows
XP) to my Laptop (Windows Vista)
My ISP is Virgin (broadband) and I have AVG installed.
Any help appreciated. Thanks

"mtman" <mtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:973C8A1D-AB15-41A4-9005-0A66E72C0DBB@microsoft.com...
>I am new to Windows Mail (comes with my new laptop - Vista Home Premium OS)
> and whilst I can operate all functions (send receive delete etc) these are
> not smooth in operation.
> When writing new emails and sending - these will not send without first
> closing down Windows Mail and then reopening and clicking the Send and
> Receive button again.
> Any help appreciated. Thanks

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