Linking Hotmail w/ Outlook Express to enable spam blocking

outlook installed on my windows XP system. I've been using Hotmail for years. has always been a minor nuisance when on web sites and trying to e-mail I am led to outlook express which is disabled so I need to copy the address and go to Hotmail in another window. Attempted to load a spam blocker and it indicates I need to tie Outlook Express to Hotmail but have been unable to do so. advice welcome