Question about Outlook Express

Hello, I have no desire or see the reason to have the same incoming email messages going to separate websites.  I have been using hotmail, now know as outlook for 9 years and it's what works best for my needs. My question is how to completely remove "windows Live Mail" which by the way I hate everything about it from the page layout to trying a simple function like deleting messages. I tried closing  "win live mail" account,but when i attempted to use  " mail-to " i received an error message that their was no mail program associated with this account. In the past I was always redirected to my hotmail account. There is no option for hotmail/outlook in "choose your default programs." (I put a check next to use my current email program). I am surprised I don't have a concussion from hitting my head against the wall.  i have a Gateway laptop with win 7 64 bit premium and google chrome as my default browser. I have wasted more hours than i hate to admit searching the web. fo a solution, or it's goodbye microsoft and hello gmail. Thank you in advance for you wisdom.