From what I remember, AOL are one of the worst for 'taking over' and making you do everything through them... so AOL themselves may make it difficult for you. (Another reason for changing!)

Installing a new browser will have no effect at all on your currently stored email addresses etc.

You can keep your current email address if you're staying with AOL, and add another web-based email account (e.g. hotmail or yahoo) which you can access from any browser on any computer. This is also free of charge.

OK? Make sense?