Windows 8.1 Desktop email client?

[peterbeaumont]

A friend is in the process of buying a new Laptop with Windows 8.1 but still wants a desktop email program.
Could anyone suggest something simple, suitable and preferably free, please?
He has become accustomed to Outlook Express and is reluctant to much change.
I've read differing accounts as to whether Windows Live Mail does or doesn't work on 8.1 and also considered Thunderbird, but first wondered what anyone here might be using in similar circumstances.
That's if there are a few other Luddites still around  ...

[Lona]

I use Winmail which works fine with Windows 8.

[cavillas]

Windows live mail works fine on windows 8.1 desktop, no problems at all.

[peterbeaumont]

Lona, Alf...thank you, I'll give that a whirl...

[peterbeaumont]

Just an update and a further request, please...
Windows Live Mail is working fine with my friend's outlook.com mail account, so he's a happy bunny.
But now his Mum (just hit 90, bless...) wants to explore emailing for the first time.
If I add her as a new user on his Laptop, would I have to install a second email Program to give her exclusive access to her own emails, or is there some way of sharing Windows Live Mail and keeping the 2 email accounts separate from each user?

[Glenn]

This may help Peter, http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-live/mail-add-email-account-faq

[peterbeaumont]

Glenn, thanks, I'd read that article previously before I posted originally, but maybe I explained badly...
My mate didn't want to log onto his new laptop using a Microsoft account and he wanted a desktop equivalent to Outlook Express, so I set him up with a Local sign in, downloaded Windows Live Mail, linked it to his outlook.com email account and everything was fine.
Then his dear old mum decide she fancied trying her hand at emails for the first time, but I didn't just want to add a second account to the existing Windows Live installation, I wanted to keep the 2 accounts entirely separate.
I remembered with Outlook Express, it was possible to switch Identities, but this can't be done with Windows Live, so I was seeking a simple solution - if this means downloading a second desktop email client, I'm happy to do it, but I'm open to suggestions.

[Simon]

I guess an alternative desktop mail client such as Thunderbird might be one solution. 

[peterbeaumont]

Just for the record, I found a free and simple Program called iScribe online which is doing the job and working fine.