Wifi and Modem Advice Regarding New and Old Computers

We have a new Windows 10 desktop which has been put on wifi for us. We were not happy with the layout of Windows Mail and put in Outlook on this computer and it has IMAP settings. We also have two our old Windows 7 computers - one is a desktop and the other is a laptop. They are set up with Pop3.

The Windows 7 DESKTOP is plugged into our modem, but the Windows 7 LAPTOP is not but we have always been able to access it when the Windows 7 desktop is on. We had it set via a Homegroup. We are able, at present, to reach our internet provider's webmail site if we want to pick up emails when on holiday at a cyber café; we do not have an iPhone or ipad, etc. or want these.

My questions are as following regarding us no longer wanting to use the two old Windows 7 computers. We want to unplug the Windows 7 desktop from the modem and wall socket and store both of the Windows computers. Therefore:

1) Should we plug the new Windows 10 which is on wifi into the modem or will this mess the wife connection up?
2) If we should put it into the modem, would this mean we could not reach our ISP's webmail site as we would be using an IMAP email set up computer?
3) If we do not plug the Windows 10 desktop into the modem, what do we do with the modem, i.e. how would the Windows 10 recognise wifi without a modem in use?

I am very confused about this and seek some advice. Please keep your answers simple as I am not that computer savvy and thank you in advance for any clarification you offer.

Let's start with the make and model numbers of the modem and any routers you have installed. And where is the desktop getting WiFi from? I suspect you have a modern and router combination unit.

NavyLCDR said:

Let's start with the make and model numbers of the modem and any routers you have installed. And where is the desktop getting WiFi from? I suspect you have a modern and router combination unit.

I am not sure if I know the difference between a modem and a router. Anyway we have a Technicolour TG588vv2 "gadget". One cable is plugged in next to the phone socket and the other end is plugged in to our Windows 7 computer. Sorry, but do not know where the WiFi comes from. We just called our IPS and they talked us through setting this up. On the back of our Technicolour modem or router, it seems to give network name details and WiFi key details, if that is any help to you???

Thanks.

The router has 4 ports you can plug 4 PC's into and get the internet it also has wireless so you can plug the pc in via network cable or still use wireless. You will get email and full internet as before. For email most people now use IMAP not pop

You need the Modem/Router to connect to your ISP service.
The white jack connects to the the ISP and the 4 yellow jacks connect to your PC's with an Ethernet cable.
The Modem also has WiFi built in.



Jim

Just plug the desktop PC into one of the yellow LAN ports.

Thank you all for your advice. I will put in the new computer - Windows 10 - into the Modem/Router soon, when I clear storage space for the two Windows 7 computers.

Presume I will still be able to see online my ISP's Webmail site to look at emails if I want to, although they use Pop3 and I will now be using IMAP on the Windows 10 computer?