Outlook is default but new msg opens in OE

[Gene]

Hello,

On my boss's computer Outlook 2000 is set as the default email client.
However, when he is viewing a message in Outlook and clicks on an email
address it opens a blank message in Outlook Express, not Outlook. I have
checked "Set Program Access and Defaults" and they are set to "Use my
current email client" (with Outlook Express as the only other choice, and
obviously not selected). And in Internet Explorer, when you go to Tools |
Internet Options... | Programs, "Microsoft Outlook" is set as the default
email client.

Before we installed Outlook 2000 on his computer he did use OE for email. In
OE his account is still there but is inactive. (I removed the check from
before "Include this account when receiving or synchronizing mail". So the
account is just sitting there as sort of backup in case Outlook dies.

He has Windows XP Home SP2.

(My computer is XP Pro SP2 with Outlook 2003. I have all the same settings
as he. When I click an email address it works correctly and opens a new
message in Outlook. I cannot find anything different between the two
computers.)

I have searched the Microsoft KB with no success. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Gene

 

[Robert Findlay [MSFT]]

The easiest thing to try first would be to go into IE in Tools->Internet
Options and then to the Programs tab and change from Outlook to Outlook
Express and then click Ok. Then go back and change it back to Outlook and
test. If this does not fix it then you will want to check the file type
association by opening My Computer and going to Tools->Folder Options and
then select the File Types tab. You will then see where it says "Registered
file types" under that you need to click on File Types to sort them by that
column. Now scroll down until you find URL:MailTo Protocol in the File Type
column and click it. Now at the bottom of the window you should see
Advanced we want to click on that button. On the window that opens you will
see Open listed under "Actions". Click on Open and then select the Edit
button. Now in the "Application used to perform action:" field you should
see a path similar to this ["C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE" -c
IPM.Note /m "%1"] without the brackets. If the path does not point to the
Outlook.exe file and instead points to the "Msimn.exe" file then that is
why Outlook Express is being used and the path should be modified to point
at the Outlook.exe file and make sure to include the -c IPM.Note /m "%1"
after the path to the Outlook.exe file.

I hope this information is helpful.

Robert Findlay
Partner Technical Lead -- BizApps
Microsoft Technical Support for Platforms and Business Applications

 

[Gene]

Hi Robert,

Thank you for such a quick reply. Your first suggestion worked perfectly.
The instructions about file association are also very helpful and
instructive - something for me to file for future use. Thanks very much.

Sincerely,
Gene