"Could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed"

[asphaltsally]

I have Vista Ultimate and am using Thunderbird mail client. When I click a
mailto link in Internet Explorer I get this error message: "Could not
perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly
installed". I have reset my default programs, uninstalled and reinstalled
Thunderbird, and switched my default mail client to Windows Mail and still
the same result. On searching the web I can only find solutions for Windows
XP, Outlook and Outlook Express. Anyone know what the deal is with Vista
and Thunderbird rendering this error? And BTW I have the same setup on
another computer and the mailto links work fine.

 

[Charles W Davis]

I have Vista Ultimate and am using Thunderbird mail client. When I click a
mailto link in Internet Explorer I get this error message: "Could not
perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly
installed". I have reset my default programs, uninstalled and reinstalled
Thunderbird, and switched my default mail client to Windows Mail and still
the same result. On searching the web I can only find solutions for
Windows XP, Outlook and Outlook Express. Anyone know what the deal is with
Vista and Thunderbird rendering this error? And BTW I have the same setup
on another computer and the mailto links work fine.

Try the steps shown on page 3 of the May 2008 newsletter on this page:
http://www.myscacc.org/newsletters.htm

 

[Adam Albright]

I have Vista Ultimate and am using Thunderbird mail client. When I click a
mailto link in Internet Explorer I get this error message: "Could not
perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly
installed". I have reset my default programs, uninstalled and reinstalled
Thunderbird, and switched my default mail client to Windows Mail and still
the same result. On searching the web I can only find solutions for Windows
XP, Outlook and Outlook Express. Anyone know what the deal is with Vista
and Thunderbird rendering this error? And BTW I have the same setup on
another computer and the mailto links work fine.

This is a common error message. Internet Explorer is trying to say it
doesn't know that Thunderbird is configured as you mail client.

Try this:

Open your copy of IE7. Click on Tools, then Internet Options, then the
Programs tab. Near the bottom of the window that opens click on the
button that says Set Programs. Now click on the first button, called
set your default programs.

For example my email Client is Agent. It shows in the list. You should
see Thunderbird listed if it is configured correctly. There should be
at least two options. Click on the one that says Choose defaults for
this program.

Again by example for me Agent shows:

under extensions .ntb

under protocols
mailto
news
NNTP

Now finally look under Windows Mail, what Vista and IE7 are expecting.
In my case it shows Agent, for you it should show Thunderbird. If not,
that's the problem. IE7 is expecting to find Windows mail set up, if
it isn't and doesn't see what you substituted, it pops the message you
got.

 

[asphaltsally]

As I stated, I have correctly configured Thunderbird as the default client.
Further, that when I configure Windows Mail as the default client the same
thing happens.
Now check this out: I had previously had Outlook 2007 installed and then
had uninstalled it. NOW I have just reinstalled OUtlool 2007 and the
problem is solved! I can now click on a mailto link in Internet Explorer
and Thunderbird opens up! Weird. So I conclude the problem was caused by
some leftover registry fragment(s) when Outlook 2007 was uninstalled.
Now I'd like to be able to have OUtlook 2007 uninstalled and still use
Thunderbird.

 

[asphaltsally]

I uninstalled Outlook 2007 and the problem reoccurred. I tried a number of
things, including deleting all outlook hidden files and registry entries,
uninstalling thunderbird, deleting all thunderbird hidden files,
reinstalling thunderbird, setting all relavent file type and protocol
associations to thunderbird, setting thunderbird as default for mail and
news. Still no joy. So as it stands now it looks like in order for
thunderbird to work as default mail client through ie 7, outlook 2007 has to
be installed. That sucks. The whole idea of using thunderbird in the first
place was to replace outlook 2007 because it syncs better with windows
mobile 6!

 

[Adam Albright]

I uninstalled Outlook 2007 and the problem reoccurred. I tried a number of
things, including deleting all outlook hidden files and registry entries,
uninstalling thunderbird, deleting all thunderbird hidden files,
reinstalling thunderbird, setting all relavent file type and protocol
associations to thunderbird, setting thunderbird as default for mail and
news. Still no joy. So as it stands now it looks like in order for
thunderbird to work as default mail client through ie 7, outlook 2007 has to
be installed. That sucks. The whole idea of using thunderbird in the first
place was to replace outlook 2007 because it syncs better with windows
mobile 6!

Really strange to say the least.

 

[Jack Mccurdy]

I uninstalled outlook and It did the same crap to me. Now I have to reinstall MS junk. Just to answer an ad on craigslist. They are doing this crap just to try to.Force us to use their BS email.

 

[Bill ©¿©¬ Yanaire]

I uninstalled outlook and It did the same crap to me. Now I have to
reinstall MS junk. Just to answer an ad on craigslist. They are doing this
crap just to try to.Force us to use their BS email.

You know, this happened to a cousin of mine. What I told him was not to
take the same crap. Wipe your system clean and use Ubuntu. That should be
on par with your mental abilities. Ask our resident idiot Alias to help
you\

 

[Ringmaster's Psychiatrist]

Stop spamming people in here about how good linux is ok?

What kind of shit question is that coming from an idiot? How about you
sticking your head up your ass? OK?

 

[Alexandra]

You know, this happened to a cousin of mine. What I told him was not
to
take the same crap. Wipe your system clean and use Ubuntu. That
should be
on par with your mental abilities. Ask our resident idiot Alias to
help you\

So Ubuntu can not be too bad as even you are starting to advise people
to use it.

 

[Ringmaster]

So Ubuntu can not be too bad as even you are starting to advise people
to use it.

Even one of the three stooges, non other that the moron Bill Yanaire
is on record saying Ubuntu is a good OS, yet the little rat lies his
shit covered ass off daily. Google doesn't lie. The fool was caught
with his pants down around his ankles and anyone willing to invest the
time can find him praising Ununtu and cursing Vista in the same post.
Maybe I should dig it out again just to rub his none in it. ;-)