Windows 10: Can not set default E-Mail client to anything other than Mail

I have an e-mail client that I am trying to set as the default and can't seem to get it to change. I am not trying to use an app from the Microsoft store, this is an actual program that I have installed on the computer.


I can not make it the default email client within the program (I click on the make default button and it appears to work, but the program doesn't stay set).


I can not make it the default by changing the file association for windows 10. When I try clicking on the file type, the program doesn't show up. There is an option to select another app, but I don't need an app I need to get to use the program file.


I can not make it the default by changing the protocol in windows 10. When I click on the mailto protocol I have the same issue as above.


I can not make it the default by changing the default program in windows 10. Again trying to select the default program, has the same effect as the other options.


This didn't start until I reformatted the computer a week or so ago. After the reformat I reinstalled windows 10, and then updated it so that all updates are installed, then I began reinstalling programs and I found that I had this issue.


Any help would be appreciated.

:)

 

Default Mail Client

Scenario 1

Possibly, whatever he/she used to access their email, that client asked if they wanted to make it default and you are not setup in that to send or receive email.

Look through your email client settings and make your default or, if, you are using Windows.
See here:
Change the default e‑mail program
and
How To Change Default Email Client

Or, you can try to re-install the email client/app.

Scenario 2

You are saying you had to Dban your desktop; I will assume you wiped your drive and re-installed the O/S and apps. If this is the case you will need to setup your email, again... make sure you have used the proper settings for your email provider (incoming and out going server addresses, ports, pop3, SMTP, SSL and security settings, passwords, log-ins, etc.).
If you overlook one little item, you may receive (or not) mail, but the server may reject your sent mail.

Goto the providers site and look instructions on setting up different email apps.

It would have helped, if, you would have stated what O/S, email client, and provider you are asking about.

 

Default Mail Client

I had to Dban my desktop last week after a friend was on it while I was out of town. Now--when I use my main e-mail, and try to send a e-mail, I get this message --this can not be completed because the default mail client is not properly installed. Can anybody help or explain this to me ?? It's a new 1 on me !!

 

Default e-mail client not chosen ?


A lot of digging and testing has been done to try and find something to resolve the weird default e-mail client issues in Windows 10 v1803. Below is a list of findings and a huge Thank You to the developer of the report generation software I've been using for many years. We're all just shaking our heads at this in wonder.

I'm sure more will be discovered for this chapter. *Wink

At least, knowing this will allow changes to have things work as the user would like.

Findings ... "So Far":

1. Right-click a file in the file browser > Send To > uses the setting in:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\mail > (Default) value
If not found will use the one in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail > (Default) Value

If that value is empty, it will prompt you to select one, and it write it to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\mail > (Default) value

2. Setting the default app for Mail in the Windows Settings does nothing to either one of those keys. And since it does nothing to those two keys, any apps including the send to context menu item will not use the selection for the default app you set in Windows Settings.

3. MAPI uses those registry keys (and Send To uses MAPI), so basically it ignores what you set as the default app in Windows Settings, so if you want MAPI to use the default, you have to set it manually as far as I know. For example, the list of available MAPI Email clients is only in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail
But you should set both (Default) values to the same value. For example, if you want Mozilla Thunderbird as your default MAPI email client, you have to modify both like so:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\mail > (Default) value = Mozilla Thunderbird
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail > (Default) Value = Mozilla Thunderbird


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I'm marking this thread as (at least) one solution (or SOLVED) as it is the only one I've come across so far. I know that adjusting the registry is not everyone's choice, but at least it is an option.