Windows launches Mail instead of your favorite email program? Find out here how to set the default email client on Windows 11 and Windows 10 to Outlook, Thunderbird, Windows Mail, etc. (for reading mail and when you click an email address for writing a message).
First, Before It Becomes a Butterfly, the Larva Spins a…
Before it becomes a butterfly, a larva spins a chrysalis.
Cocoons are for moths. Who knew?
I learned something new just now… and, speaking of novelty and transformations, how about a new default email program for Windows? You can do it just now, and turn your Mail for Windows larva, say, into an Outlook butterfly.
How to Set the Default Email Client on Windows 11
Time needed: 3 minutes
To change the default program used for sending and receiving emails on Windows 11:
- Open the Windows Start menu.
- Open the Settings app.
Windows keyboard shortcut: You can press Windows I to open Windows settings.
- Go to the Apps section.
- Select Default apps.
- Click the program you want to make the default for email under Set defaults for applications.
Search: Use the Search apps field, of course, to narrow down the list.
- For all file types and protocols, click Choose a default or the current program, then pick your choice from the menu that has appeared.
Example: Pick Mail for .eml to open email files.
- Close the Settings window.
Set the Windows 10 Default Email Program
To change the dwefault email program on Windows 10:
- Open the Start menu.
- Select Settings or the settings gear from the menu.
- Now choose Apps on the Windows Settings screen.
- Open the Default apps section under Apps.
- Click the currently selected application under Email.
- Now select the desired program from the list.
Example: Choose Outlook to set Microsoft Outlook as the default mail client on Windows.
- Close the Settings window.
How to Set the Default Email Client on Windows: FAQ
Where is the default email program used in Windows?
The default Windows email program is used
- to display new and unread emails on the Windows lock screen and
- when you click an email address in a browser.
Note: You can set up Mozilla Firefox to use a different default email program, and change the default email program for Google Chrome separately as well.
Will the default email client be used for “mailto:” links?
On Windows 10, links using the mailto: protocol will—if the browser does not override this—use the default email program. On Windows 11 will use the app set for MAILTO: URL:MailTo Protocol in Default apps.
How do I change the default email program on Windows 7, Vista, etc.?
To change the default email client in Windows versions from 7 to Vista:
- Open Control Panel.
- Select Programs.
- Now choose Set your default programs.
- Highlight the email program to be default in the list under Programs.
- Click Set this program as default.
(How to set the default email program on Windows tested with Windows 11 Version 22H2–23H2 and Windows 10 Version 21H1; first published October 2019, last updated July 2024)