Solved MAILTO doesn't let me choose my default email client


silversmith

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In order for programs like excel to link to my email program, I need to have the WIN 11 default MAILTO be my default email. But when I go to settings to set MAILTO default, my default mail handler (Mailbird) is not a choice. And there is no browse computer option, only 'Browse Apps at MS store'. How can I set Mailbird to be the MAILTO default when it is not listed as a choice, even though it is indeed my default email? Many thanks. Peter
 
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Hi, silversmith, welcome to the forum 🙏

Have you tried the processes in this tutorial?

Most commonly “Option Three” or do you mean “Mailbird” isn’t a choice during the option three process?

 

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Failing that, open Mailbird:

  • Start by opening the Mailbird menu in the top lefthand corner (i.e. the three horizontal lines).
  • Click on Settings.
  • Navigate to the Advanced tab.
  • Here, apply a checkmark in the box next to Default email application: Tell me if Mailbird is not the default email client.
  • Finally, click on the Set as default button.
 

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    2 x USB-C (USB 4.0)
    1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1

    Camera: 1080P FHD IR Hybrid with Dual Microphone

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Thanks for responding. As I said in my question, the MAILTO setting does not have Mailbird as a choice. Also no choice to browse to it. So I can not set it for MAILTO in Win 11 settings. In Mailbird, the program is set as default (as I said in the question). I think the issue may be "registration" of the program in the registry - but I can't seem to find how to do this. Thanks.
Peter
 

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windows 11
OS
windows 11
Computer type
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I think the issue may be "registration" of the program in the registry
Check under Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\Mail
... see if Mailbird is the default...

7670.jpg
 

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Some members will ask you to do something you have done because in windows, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Out of interest, did you install Mailbird for all users or just the current?
 

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    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894
    Computer type
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    Manufacturer/Model
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    CPU
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    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
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    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    ROG SupremeFX Formula 8-Channel High Definition Audio
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    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
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    Too many to list. OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
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    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
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    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
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    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
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    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
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    Browser
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    Kaspersky Premium
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    …still on a horse.


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    Ports: 1x 1 Novo button; 2 in 1 Audio Combo jack; Micro SD Card Reader; HDMI 1.4b; 2 x USB Type-C (TBT4)
    USB 3.2 Gen 2 DP 1.4a
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    Camera
    1x 1080P FHD IR/RGB Hybrid with Privacy Shutter and Dual Array Microphone
    Graphics
    1x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Monitor
    14" WUXGA
    Form Factor
    Convertible Notebook
  • Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8894 (Wifes)

    Yoga 7 2-in-1 14IML9 - Type 83DJ

    Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155H Processor(Core™ Ultra 7 155H)

    Memory: 32GB LPD5X-7467

    Hard Drive: 1 TB SSD PCIe

    Wireless Network: 1x Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above

    Ports: 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS; 1 x Novo Button; 1 x Combo Audio Jack
    2 x USB-C (USB 4.0)
    1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1

    Camera: 1080P FHD IR Hybrid with Dual Microphone

    Graphics: Intel® Arc™ Graphics

    Monitor: 14" 2.8K

    ...Where's my horse?
I think the issue may be "registration" of the program in the registry
Do one thing for me:
Create a mailto: shortcut on your Desktop, I'd like to see if it will register a Client, if any...

7675.jpg
 

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Good thought - but yes, Mailbird is entered as in your example in the registry.
Thank you for the follow-up though.
Peter
 

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The "Mailto:" shortcut is created - clicking on it yields the same choices as in the setup-Apps (Outlook, Mail, Chrome, etc) but no Mailbird, and no choice to browse for it. Thanks for the thought.
 

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windows 11
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windows 11
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... no Mailbird, and no choice to browse for it.
Do you have this Registry key?:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Mailbird.Url.mailto

... if so, what Child keys are under it? ...

7678.jpg
 

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No - Mailbird.URL.mailto is not there. But I certainly can create it - along with: -shell-open-command (data) Mailbird.
Maybe that is the issue? Many thanks.
Peter
 

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I certainly can create it
Worth a shot...
Here's the Mailbird.Url.mailto data:

7679.jpg

shell and open are (value not set):

7680.jpg

command is: (for me anyway, your path may differ)

7681.jpg

If it doesn't work, delete the Key and sub-keys, we'll figure something else out.
I gotta hit the hay though, good luck!
 

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WORKED!!
Thank you - Thank you.
Peter
 

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I also had this issue with setting my 3rd party email client as the "default" in Windows even though my client software had a setting that would allegedly make it the default. But it did not work. So I wrote a registry script that finally did make it show up as a choice in the Windows default apps dialog. The script is posted below the screen shot.

1736871437813.webp

INI:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Make sure you first check the registry under "mailto" for any existing "EmailDeveloperName\ProgramName" and substitute the actual names

; This line deletes current email client association
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\mailto]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mailto]
@="URL:MailTo Protocol"
"URL Protocol"=""
 
; The next 14 lines register your email program and allow it to show up in the Windows default apps dialog
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\RegisteredApplications]
"ProgramName"="SOFTWARE\\EmailDeveloperName\\ProgramName\\Capabilities"
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\YourEmailDeveloperName\ProgramName\Capabilities]
"ApplicationDescription"="Open mailto on local machine"
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EmailDeveloperName\ProgramName\Capabilities\UrlAssociations]
"mailto"="ProgramName.Mailto"
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\RegisteredApplications]
"ProgramName"="SOFTWARE\\Wow6432Node\\EmailDeveloperName\\ProgramName\\Capabilities"
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\EmailDeveloperName\ProgramName\Capabilities]
"ApplicationDescription"="Open mailto on local machine"
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\EmailDeveloperName\EmailDeveloperName\ProgramName\Capabilities\UrlAssociations]
"mailto"="ProgramName.Mailto"
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\RegisteredApplications]
"ProgramName"="SOFTWARE\\Wow6432Node\\EmailDeveloperName\\ProgramName\\Capabilities"
 
; These lines set your 3rd party software as the default email client in Windows
; Be sure to change the path to your email client location, e.g. @="\"C:\Program Files\ProgramDirectory
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mailto\shell\open\command]
@="\"D:\\PROGRAMDIRECTORY\\ProgramName\\Program.exe\" %1"
 
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ProgramName.Mailto]
@="URL:MailTo Protocol"
"URL Protocol"=""
 
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ProgramName.Mailto\shell\open\command]
@="\"D:\\PROGRAMDIRECTORY\\ProgramName\\Program.exe\" %1"
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto]
@="URL:MailTo Protocol"
"URL Protocol"=""
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto\shell\open\command]
@="\"D:\\PROGRAMDIRECTORY\\ProgramName\\Program.exe\" %1"
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\ProgramName.Mailto]
@="URL:MailTo Protocol"
"URL Protocol"=""
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\ProgramName.Mailto\shell\open\command]
@="\"D:\\PROGRAMDIRECTORY\\ProgramName\\Program.exe\" %1"

;------END OF SCRIPT----------------------------
 

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