How do I RELIABLY set OE as default mail program?

[Robert S]

I've got Outlook/Office installed on my PC. I wish to run OE as my default
mail program. I've got 5 users on this PC. Despite various measures that
have been recommended by newsgroups etc, my system always seems to default
back to Outlook as the default mail program. How do I set OE as the default
mail program for all users - without Outlook taking over?

 

[Bruce Hagen]

I've got Outlook/Office installed on my PC. I wish to run OE as my
default mail program. I've got 5 users on this PC. Despite various
measures that have been recommended by newsgroups etc, my system always
seems to default back to Outlook as the default mail program. How do I
set OE as the default mail program for all users - without Outlook taking
over?

Another notch in Microsoft's belt. For about a year now, whenever you get an
update for Outlook, it makes itself the default e-mail client. More in the
last link.

Make OE the default e-mail client:
http://www.oehelp.com/oedef.aspx

For links in e-mail:
http://www.oehelp.com/oelnk.aspx

And:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306098

Restores OE to the E-mail clients list in Internet Options
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/oe_client.htm

If you have MS Outlook installed, also see:
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#13

 

[Mick Murphy]

As Bruce said; Outlook takes over!
Updates come out on the 2nd tuesday of the month, and invariably include
Outlook Spam filter updates.
An easy way to get OE back as default is to open OE, and say YES to make it
the default again, with the window that pops up.
And do it every month, lol..

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I've got Outlook/Office installed on my PC. I wish to run OE as my default
mail program. I've got 5 users on this PC. Despite various measures that
have been recommended by newsgroups etc, my system always seems to default
back to Outlook as the default mail program. How do I set OE as the default
mail program for all users - without Outlook taking over?

Others have answered your question as to why this happens, but let me
suggest that if you prefer Outlook Express to Outlook that you
uninstall Outlook.