How to customise your default email app on Windows 11
Decided the built-in Mail app just isn’t doing it for you? No worries—changing your default email program in Windows 11 is pretty easy. Whether you’re after something more feature-rich like Outlook or sticking with Thunderbird, this tweak will make your email life a whole lot smoother. Once you’ve set it up, clicking on an email link will open your preferred app instead of the default one you don’t use.
Getting Started with Settings
First up, head into the Settings menu. The quickest way? Click the Start button and select the gear icon, or press Windows key + I for a shortcut. Feeling a bit daring? Right-click the Start button and choose Settings. There, you’ll find all sorts of handy options to customise.
Diving into Apps
Once in Settings, click on the “Apps” section. This is where all the magic happens. You’ll find options for managing installed apps and setting defaults. If you want to change which app opens certain file types or links, this is the place to go.
Default App Settings
Within the Apps section, look for “Default apps.” This is the key. Here, you can assign what happens when you click on different file types or links. Say goodbye to the confusion of what opens when you click an email link. If you don’t see “Mail,” just type Default apps into the search bar at the top. Easy as.
Find and Pick Your Email App
Scroll down to “Mail.” Click on it, and a list of your installed email clients will appear. You’ll see your current default, plus any others you’ve installed. If your favourite isn’t showing up, double-check it’s installed properly—sometimes they vanish unexpectedly.
Set Your Chosen Email Client
Select your preferred app from the list. Windows should save this setting automatically. If you’re using Thunderbird or a similar client, you might need to do a bit more to associate it with the MAILTO protocol:
- After choosing your app, look for an option like “Set defaults by app” for associated protocols. This is where you assign your email app to handle
MAILTOlinks. - Usually, click on “Choose defaults by app,” find your email client, and set it to handle
MAILTO. If it’s not listed, you can browse to where the app is installed, for exampleC:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe.
From now on, clicking an email link will open it in your chosen app—much more efficient, right?
Using the Command Line (If Needed)
If you’re having issues with the MAILTO protocol not registering properly, you can try a quick command-line fix. Open PowerShell as an administrator and run:
Remove-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\MAILTO" -Name "UserChoice" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Process "ms-settings:protocol" -Verb runAsThis resets the association, but sometimes Windows can be a bit stubborn, so it’s worth trying.
Practical Tips
To keep everything running smoothly, make sure your email apps are all up to date. Outdated software can cause glitches on Windows 11. If you’re switching to a lighter client in the hope of speeding things up, double-check it still handles everything you need. And it’s always a good idea to back up important emails, just in case something unexpected happens during the switch.
While you’re at it, explore your email app’s settings—set up signatures, notifications, and auto-responses to make it work just how you like.
Quick FAQs
Can I revert to the default email app?
Absolutely. Just head back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and select “Mail” again or pick another app you prefer.
What if my email app isn’t listed?
If it doesn’t show up, it might not be registered properly with Windows. Try reinstalling it, or sometimes a quick restart does the trick. Another option is to use “Set defaults by app” and assign your email client manually.
Will changing the default affect my existing emails?
Nope. Your saved emails and folders stay just as they are. This change only affects which app opens when you click on an email link.
Can I use a web-based email service as my default?
Not quite. Windows prefers a desktop email client for these defaults. While some extensions or browsers can handle mailto links, it’s easiest (and most reliable) to stick with a dedicated app.
Does one app handle all my accounts?
Yep, Windows 11 only allows one default email app to handle mail links. But most apps, like Outlook, let you manage multiple email accounts within the same programme.
Wrapping It Up
Changing your default email app isn’t a big deal, but it can make your day-to-day emailing a lot smoother. Whether you stick with what you know or try something new with extra features, picking the right app makes all the difference. Remember to keep everything up to date, and don’t hesitate to play around with the internal settings to personalise it.
Good luck setting up your perfect email experience—hope this guide saves you a few headaches!