How to Set Outlook as Default Mail Client on Windows

Set Outlook as the Default Mail Client on Windows

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Email Tips and Resources, Windows Tips and Resources

Windows Mail or Thunderbird always open when you click an email address? Find out here how to set Outlook as the default mail client across Windows.

First, a Bird Chooses Juice

If there is one thing a male bowerbird cannot tolerate it is bland and uninspired dullness, of course, for his courtship house.

So, most birds will deck their abodes with colorful petals; some, however, will also smash berries and paint the strawy walls with the juice.

Now, sick of seeing the same email program day in day out? Time to paint your default email program in a different color:

How to Set Outlook as the Default Mail Client on Windows

Windows 11

Time needed: 3 minutes

To make Microsoft Outlook the default mail client for reading and writing email on Windows 11:

  1. Open the Settings app using the Windows Start menu.

    Windows keyboard shortcut: Press Windows I to open Windows settings directly.

  2. Go to the Apps category.

  3. Pick Default apps.

  4. Click Outlook under Set defaults for applications.

    The right Outlook: Outlook for Windows and Outlook for Microsoft 365 both appear as Outlook, but only the latter is the Office application; you can tell them apart by their icon, which corresponds to the icon you see in the taskbar or Start menu for the app.

  5. For each file type and protocol, select Outlook as the default.

    Here’s how: Click the existing default or Choose a default for the protocol or file type, select Outlook and click Set default.
    Set Outlook as the default mail client on Windows 11 in Settings

Windows 10

To set up Microsoft Outlook (from Microsoft 365, as part of Office or as a stand-alone application) the default email program on Windows 10:

  1. Open the Windows Start menu.
  2. Select Settings.
    Gear icon: The menu item may display as a mere gear sign initially.
  3. Select Apps.
  4. Now go to the Default apps section.
  5. Click Choose a default or the current default mail client under Email.
  6. Select Outlook from the Choose an app list that has popped up.
    Set the default mail client to Outlook in Windows Settings

How to Set Outlook as the Default Mail Client Using Protocols and File Types on Windows 10

To make Outlook the default email program for specific protocols (composing a message to an email address in a browser, for instance) and file types (such as EML for emails:

  1. Go to the Defaults apps section in Windows settings. (See above.)
  2. Click Set defaults by app.
    Unsupported file types and protocols: In Windows settings, you cannot set Outlook as the default program for file types and protocols that Outlook does not proclaim to support.
  3. Now select Outlook from the list of applications.
  4. Click Manage.
  5. Click and select a default mail program for each protocol or file type.
    Not Outlook: You can choose from all supported applications, not just Outlook; you will only see file types and protocols that Outlook does support, however.
    Example: To make Outlook the default for EML email files, click first the current default under .eml E-mail Message and select Outlook from the Choose an app list.
    Choose for which protocols and file types you want to make Outlook the default

How to Set Outlook as the Default Mail Client on Windows: FAQ

Can I have different email program defaults for sending mail and opening EML files?

Yes.

In the settings section for Default apps (or, for Windows 10, to Set defaults by app; see above), you can choose different applications for different email, calendaring and contact protocols as well as file types.

(How to set Outlook as the default mail client tested with Windows 11 Version 22H2 and Windows 10 Version 21H2; updated March 2024)

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