How to Make Outlook Your Default Email Program

When you found you do indeed like Outlook and make it your "default" email program, this attitude should be reflected in your Windows settings so that Outlook is used for mailto: URLs, for example.

Make Outlook Your Default Email Program

To configure Outlook as your default email program in Windows Vista:

• Click Start.
• Type "default programs" in the Start Search box.
• Click Default Programs under Programs in the search results.
• Now click Set your default programs.
• Highlight Microsoft Office Outlook or Microsoft Outlook on the left.
• Click Set this program as default.
• Click OK.

Make Outlook Your Default Email Program in Windows 98, 2000, and XP

To set Outlook as your default program for email:

• Start Internet Explorer.
• Select Tools | Internet Options from the menu.
• Go to the Programs tab.
• Make sure Microsoft Office Outlook or Microsoft Outlook is selected under E-mail.
• Click OK.

Default Mail Client Not Properly Installed?

Could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed

If clicking an email link in your browser gives you this error, try making a different email program, say Outlook Express or Windows Mail, and then Outlook your default email program using the steps above.