Windows - Setting the Default Mail Program

The default mail program is the software that is registered with your operating system as the software that is to handle mailto URL's. When another application wants to send an email, it looks up the default and passes the email to the default mail program.

Windows 11

Use the following steps to change the default mail program in Windows 11:

  1. In Windows, click the search bar on your screen (or click the Windows logo on your keyboard or desktop to raise the search bar), type Default App Settings, then select the corresponding result.

  2. Click the Set defaults for applications option.

  3. Scroll to find and select the application you wish to make the default.

  4. Set the default mail app for the file type (.eml, .hol, etc.) and link types:

    1. Select an item.

    2. Select your desired default program.

    3. Select Set default to confirm your choice. 

Windows 10

Use the following steps to change the default mail program in Windows 10

  1. In the search bar or search icon on the bottom left of the desktop, begin typing Default App Settings. Once You see the Default App Settings option, click it.

    Search for Default App Settings in the windows settings.

  2. Click the Mail option, then select the program you wish to make default.

    Select the Default App.

Windows XP

Use the following steps to change the default mail program in XP:

  1. Click the Start button, then click on the Control Panel icon to open the Windows Control Panel.

    The windows menu is selected and Control Panel is highlighted in the rightside menu.

  2. Click the Add or Remove Programs icon to open the Add or Remove Programs applet.

    Add or remove programs is selected from the main menu.

  3. On the left side of the Window click the Set Program Access and Defaults icon.

    Set program access and Defaults is the last option on the left side panel.

  4. In the Access and Defaults window, click on the Custom radio button to expand the Custom category.

    Custom program configuration is selected.

  5. Underneath Choose a default e-mail program, click the radio button next to the program you want to use (e.g. Outlook, Thunderbird, Eudora).

    Outlook Express is selected as an example and the Ok button is highlighted in the bottom right.

  6. Click OK at the bottom of the window.

Windows 7, 8, and Vista

Use the following steps to change the default mail program in Windows 8, 7 or Vista:

  1. Click the Start button, then click the Default Programs item. 

    • Windows 8 users type Default Programs into the Start screen and hit Enter.

    From the Windows Menu, Default programs on the right side under Control Panel is highlighted.

  2. Click on the Set Program Access and Computer Defaults item.

    Set program access and computer defaults is the last option under the Default Programs menu.

  3. In the Access and Defaults window, click on the Custom radio button to expand the Custom category.

    Custom program configuration is the 3rd and last option highlighted in the Set program access menu.

  4. Underneath Choose a default e-mail program, click the radio button next to the program you want to use (e.g. Outlook, Thunderbird, Eudora).

    Mozilla Thunderbird is highlighted and selected as an example. The Ok button in the bottom right is higlighted.

  5. Click OK at the bottom of the window.

    See Also


    Keywords:
    eudora microsoft outlook express hotmail yahoo netscape vista xp win7 7 winxp xp send e-mail link mailto wiscmail set as default eudoradisclaimer program email win10 10 gmail find change app settings 
    Doc ID:
    170
    Owned by:
    Help Desk KB Team in DoIT Help Desk
    Created:
    2000-03-27
    Updated:
    2026-08-31
    Sites:
    DoIT Help Desk