When you click an email hyperlink, also called a “mailto link,” you may have noticed that nothing happens. Most likely, your default email client has not been set. Fortunately, you can follow the steps below to customize Outlook or your respective web browser(s) to open a different email client (e.g. Gmail) instead.
How to Set Gmail as Your Browser’s Default Email Client for Mailto Links
Chrome
Step 1: Open Gmail in Chrome and click the Protocol Handler icon in your browser’s address bar. If you don’t see this icon, skip ahead to step 3.
Step 2: When prompted to “Allow Gmail to open all email links?”, select “Use Gmail,” and click “Done.” Then you’re done! Skip steps 3-5.
Step 3: If you were unable to see the Protocol Handler icon, click the Chrome menu icon in the top right corner of your browser, and choose “Settings.”
Step 4: Click the “Show Advanced Settings” link at the bottom of the screen. Then click the “Content Settings” button under the “Privacy” header.
Step 5: In the pop-up window, scroll down to the “Handlers” section and click the “Manage Handlers” button. Then select Gmail from the mailto dropdown, click “Done,” and, well, you’re done!
Firefox
Step 1: In the top left corner of your Firefox browser, click the Firefox menu button. Then choose “Options.”
Step 2: Click the “Applications” tab, type “mailto” into the search bar, and click the drop-down arrow next to the “Action” column. Select “Use Gmail,” click “OK,” and you’re done!
Internet Explorer
Step 1: Click here to install the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Once installed, click the wrench icon at the top right corner of your Internet Explorer browser to open the Toolbar Options window. Scroll down to the “Web-browsing tools” section, select “Use Gmail for ‘Mail To’ links,” and click “Save.” Now you’re good to go!
Safari
Step 1: Click here to download Google’s Mailto Extension for Safari. Click the arrow at the top right of your Safari browser, click the download, and click “Install” in the pop-up window.
Step 2: Select Gmail from the list of options.
Step 3: Restart your browser, and you’re all set!
How to Set Outlook as Your Default Email Client for Mailto Links
Outlook 2010
Step 1: Open Outlook.
Step 2: On the File tab, choose Options.
Step 3: Under Start up options, select the Make Outlook the default program for E-mail, Contacts, and Calendar check box.
Step 4: Click OK.
Outlook 2013 or 2016
Step 1: Open Outlook.
Step 2: On the File tab, choose Options > General.
Step 3: Under Start up options, select the Make Outlook the default program for E-mail, Contacts, and Calendar check box.
Step 4: Click OK.
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