3. Settings

3.1. VM configuration file

Many of the answers in this document suggest that you add code to your VM configuration file.

VM reads its configuration file at startup and whenever the function `vm-load-init-file' (by default bound to "L" in VM buffers) is called. The configuration file is named, by default, "~/.vm", but the name of the configuration file can be changed by setting the variable `vm-init-file'. VM does not come with a default configuration file -- if you want one you'll have to create it yourself.

3.2. Can I set the "From:" address and the "Reply-to:" address?

Yes, by adding this lisp code to your .emacs file:

(setq mail-default-reply-to "username@example.com")
(setq user-full-name "Your Name")
(setq user-mail-address "username@example.com")

3.3. How do I make the Read and Send Mail from the menu use VM?

Under GNU Emacs, place the following in your .emacs:

(define-key menu-bar-tools-menu [rmail] '("Read Mail" . vm))
(define-key-after menu-bar-tools-menu [smail] '("Send Mail" . vm-mail) 'rmail)

Thanks to Paul D. Smith for this one.

Under XEmacs, you can do something like this to set the Apps|Send Mail menu item to use VM;

(setq mail-user-agent 'vm-user-agent)
(setq toolbar-mail-reader 'vm)

Alternatively, you can:

M-x customize
Customize group: toolbar
Mail Reader: vm

3.4. How can I prevent VM from modifying my window configuration?

Add the following to your VM configuration file:

(setq vm-mutable-windows nil)

3.5. How do I stop VM from opening/raising frames?

There are variables which can be set to avoid the "frame-based" file chooser when `vm-attach-mime-file' or `vm-visit-folder' is invoked from a menu (via the mouse). The variables (with their default values) are:

(setq vm-frame-per-completion t)
(setq vm-frame-per-composition t)
(setq vm-frame-per-edit t)
(setq vm-frame-per-folder t)
(setq vm-frame-per-help nil)
(setq vm-frame-per-summary nil)
(setq vm-mutable-frames t)
(setq vm-raise-frame-at-startup t)

In the current version of VM, setting `vm-mutable-frames' to `nil' disables all frame creation; in older versions it may be necessary to set each `vm-frame-per-' variable to `nil' as well.

3.6. How do I make VM expunge all my deleted mail when I quit?

Although doing so is strongly discouraged, you can add the following to your VM configuration file:

(add-hook 'vm-quit-hook 'vm-expunge-folder)