Disable browser opening on 'mailto' links?


A

archz2

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9:06 AM
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Windows 11
How can I completely disable the mailto protocol in Windows 11 so that clicking an email address link does absolutely nothing? Currently, the OS forces Google Chrome to open, and the Windows 11 'Default apps' GUI does not provide an option to unassign the protocol or leave it blank. I am looking for a registry edit or script to black-hole the action.
It's very annoying when I click on an email address on a website in Firefox, Edge or Brave and suddenly chrome opens up.

1773845654706.webp
 
Windows Build/Version
23H2 - build 22631.6199

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Assign another app to take the protocol, or, reset all defaults.
 

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Edwin said:
Assign another app to take the protocol, or, reset all defaults.
Click to expand...
I know, resetting would put Edge as default. What I'm looking for is that no app should open when I click on email links. And where's the exact option for customizing apps for 'mail to' ? Can you please share a screenshot?
 

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archz2 said:
I'm using windows home, so i didn't have group policy editor by default. So I followed instructions from this reddit thread to enable access to it.
Click to expand...
You do need to check each change you do in the Registry to find out if the intended change was implemented or not [GPE on Home does not work for all changes, for many policies, it is just a viewer].


Denis
 

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archz2 said:
Disable browser opening on 'mailto' links...
Click to expand...
Settings/Privacy and security/Permissions/Additional permissions/Protocol handlers/Don't allow sites to handle protocols
archz2 said:
How can I completely disable the mailto protocol in Windows 11...
Click to expand...
You can't.
archz2 said:
It's very annoying when I click on an email address on a website in Firefox, Edge or Brave and suddenly chrome opens up.
...no app should open when I click on email links.
Click to expand...
Why then are you clicking on email addresses?
 

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If you attempt to invoke a mailto protocol from within Windows, the OS will persuade you to install a program/client...

m1.webp

If you disable browser protocol handling ...

12847.webp

... then clicking on an email does nothing...

12844.gif

However, if you create a mailto: shortcut on your Desktop, it will simply open a blank or new tab in your default browser, regardless...

12846.webp
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
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    ASUS ROG Strix
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    ASUS VivoBook
Try3 said:
You do need to check each change you do in the Registry to find out if the intended change was implemented or not [GPE on Home does not work for all changes, for many policies, it is just a viewer].


Denis
Click to expand...
Yes. I checked. Those settings in GPE and Regedit. They're as per the guide you shared.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 11
Edwin said:
Settings/Privacy and security/Permissions/Additional permissions/Protocol handlers/Don't allow sites to handle protocols
Click to expand...
Somehow this isn't available at my end. Permissions option is absent.

1773920019907.webp
 

My Computer

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archz2 said:
Somehow this isn't available at my end. Permissions option is absent.
Click to expand...
Sorry, the full path should be:
Settings/Privacy and security/Site settings/Permissions/Additional permissions/Protocol handlers/Don't allow sites to handle protocols
or,
just paste this into your address bar: chrome://settings/handlers
 

My Computers

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    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
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    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
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    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
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