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How to Make Outlook Your Default Email Client

How to set Outlook as your default email client in Windows

By Heinz Tschabitscher Heinz Tschabitscher Writer University of Vienna A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 1, 2021 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

In Windows 10, go to Default Apps > Choose a default email app > Mail > Outlook.To add an Outlook.com account to Windows Mail, go to Windows Mail Settings > Manage Accounts > Add Account > follow the steps. This article explains how to make Outlook for Microsoft 365, Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 your default email program on Windows 10, 8, or 7.

Which Version of Windows Do You Use

It's easy to change your default email client at any time. You'll find the settings in Windows. But, before you begin, check to see which Windows version you have. Changing the default email settings is different in different versions of Windows.

Set the Default Email Client in Windows 10

Use Windows Settings from the Start menu to change the default email client to Outlook in Windows 10. Go to the Windows taskbar and select Start. Select Settings (the gear icon). In the Windows Settings dialog box, go to the Find a setting text box and enter Default. Select Default Apps. Instead of searching in the Windows Settings dialog box, another method is to search from the Type here to search box in the Windows taskbar. Select Choose a default email app. Select Mail to display a list of email apps that are installed on your computer. Select Outlook. If you don't want to use Outlook as the default email app, choose a different email app from the list or select Look for an app in the Microsoft Store to install another email app. Close the Settings dialog box.

Add an Outlook com Email to Windows 10

With Windows 10, you may no longer have access to Outlook Express. Fortunately, Windows 10 has a built-in email client called Mail. To add your Outlook.com email (or any email) to Windows Mail: Go to the Windows taskbar, select Start, then choose Mail. In Windows Mail, select Settings (the gear icon). Select Manage Accounts. Select Add account. In the Add an account dialog box, select Outlook.com. Enter your email address, then select Next. In the Enter password dialog box, enter your Outlook.com password, then select Sign in. If you set up Windows Hello or two-step verification, follow the prompts to enter the pin or code. After you've signed in, select Done. Your Outlook.com email address appears in the accounts list.

Set the Default Email Program in Windows 8

Make changes in Windows 8 from the Control Panel. Open the Control Panel. Select Programs > Default Programs. You'll see this in Windows 8 only if you're viewing the items by category. Otherwise, you can just choose Default Programs. Select Associate a file type or protocol with a program. The Set Associations window opens. Scroll down the list to Protocols and double-click MAILTO. Select Outlook in the popup window asking how you want to open mailto links. Apply the change and close the window.

Set the Default Email Program in Windows 7

Find the Default Programs window from the Start menu to change the default email client to Outlook in Windows 7. Select Start. Open the Start menu and select Default Programs. Select Set your default programs. Select either Outlook Express, Microsoft Office Outlook, or Outlook. Select Set this program as default. Select OK. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Add Your Outlook.com Email to Outlook for Windows How to Fix Outlook Search When It's Not Working How to Set up Your Hotmail Signature in Outlook.com How to Set up Gmail as Your Default Email in Firefox How to Forward an Email as an Attachment in Outlook How to Make Unresponsive Hyperlinks Work In Outlook How to Make IE11 the Default Browser in Windows How to Export Emails From Outlook How to Set the Default Account in Outlook How to Delete Email Accounts in Outlook or Windows Mail How to Send a Web Page With the Mac's Email Program How to Fix It When Outlook Keeps Asking for a Password Open EML Files in Windows How to Make Outlook Remember Your Email Password How to Create a New Outlook.com Email Account How to Change File Associations in Windows Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies