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Make Outlook Your Default Email Program

Step-by-step instructions to set up your default email client

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 April 19, 2020 Tweet Share Email Microsoft Tweet Share Email MS Office Outlook Word Excel Powerpoint If you have multiple email programs on your computer, you can decide which one your system uses by default. Provided you have already added an email account to your Outlook application, you can quickly choose Outlook as your go-to program for email, contacts, and calendar. Instructions in this article apply to Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 running on Windows.

How to Make Outlook Your Default Email Program

Changing the settings makes Microsoft Outlook your computer's default application for sending and receiving email messages, storing appointments and reminders on a calendar, and retaining information for your contacts. Start Outlook. Go to the File tab. Select Options. In the Outlook Options dialog box, select the General tab. This step does not apply to Outlook 2010. In the Start up options section, select the Make Outlook the default program for Email, Contacts, and Calendar check box. Select OK to apply the changes and close the Outlook Options window. Windows now recognizes Outlook as your default email and calendar program.

What to Do if You Get This Error Message

You might get this error message after clicking on a message: Could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed
To fix this error, select a different default email program, and then reselect Outlook as your default email program. 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 Export Emails From Outlook How to Fix Outlook Search When It's Not Working How to Clear the Outlook Cache How to Streamline Conversations in Outlook How to Sync Google, Outlook, and iPhone Calendars How to Set the Default Account in Outlook How to Forward an Email as an Attachment in Outlook How to Change the Default Font and Size in Outlook How to Make Outlook Remember Your Email Password How to Auto Empty Trash in Outlook How to Set up Gmail as Your Default Email in Firefox How to Access Archived Emails in Outlook How to Delete an Address From the Outlook Autocomplete List Read Your Outlook Email in Plain Text to Avoid Privacy Threats How to Fix It When Outlook Keeps Asking for a Password How to Separate Email Recipients With Commas in Outlook 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