How do you set the default email account in Windows

Question

Some applications and web pages cause a default email client, often Outlook, but sometimes Windows Mail, to open automatically to send an email. How do you set this default?

Answer 1

Windows XP: How to make Outlook the default mail client

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the Programs tab.
4. In the E-mail list, click Microsoft Office Outlook.
5. Click OK.

Windows Vista: Change the default e‑mail program

1. Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs.
2. Click Set your default programs.
3. Under Programs, click the e‑mail program you'd like to use, and then click Set this program as default.
4. Click OK.

Answer 2

I come upon this rather frequently — after MS Office updates Outlook Express is set as default mail client.

A regfile like this helps:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail]

@="Microsoft Outlook"