Default mail client not installed on Win 7: What does this mean?

**Bakon** · 2012-01-31 14:02

Hi:
First time to post or visit this site, so hope this makes sense. New computer. Windows
All-in-one 7. Several times I have tried to get on sites and I get a message that says " could not perform this operation because of the default mail client is not properly installed". How do I correct the problem? Thank you.

***ruirib*** · 2012-01-31 14:13

Hi,

Welcome to the Lounge.

Have you setup email on your computer? My guess is that you have clicked on email addresses on web pages, which usually results in your webmail client being launched. If you have not defined an email client, the click will result in a message such as the one you have been getting.

**Just Plain Fred** · 2012-01-31 14:15

Originally Posted by Bakon

I get a message that says " could not perform this operation because of the default mail client is not properly installed". How do I correct the problem?

Bakon,
Hello ....and Welcome to W.S. Lounge... What E Mail program are you wanting to use? Also have a look at your "Default Settings" See screen shot.

Regards Fred

**Bakon** · 2012-01-31 14:19

HI:
Thanks for your response. I use yahoo as my email and have had not problem sending emails and have never had this happen on other computers.
Best Buy where I purchased the computer came out and set the system up and I thought they set everything up properly but maybe not.

How would I define the email client?

Thanks.

**Medico** · 2012-01-31 14:23

even with an email address, Win 7 does not have a default mail client. You can use a web mail via your web browser, but cannot use, say, your ISP email address until you install a mail client like Windows Live Mail (a part of Windows Live Essentials), or Thunderbird or Eudora. Once you have the email client installed you can then set up your email account within that client.

Unfortunately, because of previous lawsuits, MS has removed the default email client from Win 7. In XP, there was Outlook Express, in Vista there was Windows Mail, in Win 7 there is no default client.

***JoeP517*** · 2012-01-31 14:27

To set Yahoo mail as the default mail client see the instructions as How do I set up the default mail client without Outlook?.

Joe

**DrWho** · 2012-02-05 09:24

First let me say, that I would never argue with a VIP. Eh?

Having said that (sorry Ted),

Unfortunately, because of previous lawsuits, MS has removed the default email client from Win 7. In XP, there was Outlook Express, in Vista there was Windows Mail, in Win 7 there is no default client.

That's not really 100%, positively, absolutely true.

Windows Mail, which looks like and runs like Outlook Express is very much present in Windows 7.
However, probably for the reason given in the Quote above, it has been disabled by crippling the MSOE.dll file,
so that Windows Mail, also called WinMail, cannot run.

The repair is as simple as replacing the MSOE.dll file with the one from Vista, 32 bit or 64 bit whichever is appropriate.
There are a few other little steps involved, but that's the crux of it.

Using Windows Mail is then just like using Outlook Express. You can download ISP mail or Gmail right into the program, but Yahoo is still not a POP Email Server. I've heard that if you PAY for your Yahoo email account, then you can use a POP (POP3) email client on your PC to receive your Yahoo mail. I would never do that though, since I find GMail a far superior email Server, and it also gives me Google Phone, which allows me to make long distance calls anywhere in the US, FREE!

Good Luck and Y'all have a great day now, Y'hear?
The Doctor

**BruceR** · 2012-02-05 09:33

Originally Posted by JoeP517

To set Yahoo mail as the default mail client see the instructions as How do I set up the default mail client without Outlook?.

Not applicable to Windows 7 though?

Bruce

**Medico** · 2012-02-05 10:44

I stand corrected DrWho. I should have said a default mail client is not enabled in Win 7. MS wishes us to install WLM rather than use the Win Mail client using the steps you detailed. These steps are not generally easy for PC novices and thus are not easily attainable for the average person in the masses that use Win 7.

***JoeP517*** · 2012-02-06 08:27

Originally Posted by BruceR

Not applicable to Windows 7 though?

Bruce

Yes, the part about the Yahoo toolbar is. See How to set up Yahoo Mail as a default mail client in Windows 7.

Joe

**AlpineKris** · 2012-02-09 06:45

Let me say first, as a newbie first class (second post here), I would NEVER EVER argue with someone who has 5 Stars or even be a VIP.

The Doctor said, amongst other:

Originally Posted by DrWho

but Yahoo is still not a POP Email Server. I've heard that if you PAY for your Yahoo email account, then you can use a POP (POP3) email client on your PC to receive your Yahoo mail.

......Y'all have a great Super Bowl Sunday, Y'hear?
The Doctor

I use !Y mail since many years. I collect it via an e-mail-client of Windows (Outlook Express, then Windows Mail).

Under the settings menu "Mail Options" tab, the last entry is : POP and forwarding.

This will lead you to the appropriate page, and when hoovering the questionmark right of the drop down, it will give you the road to your mail-client you are prefering.

[since I use a yahoo.com account, but in the german language, I refrain from posting screenshots, as they would confuse more than help. If requested, I will post them in a later entry]

THIS WORKS IN THE FREE VERSION OF !Y MAIL. I never used Yahoo Mail Plus.

and... Doc.... I had a great SuperDownhill weekend :-) and had a Super Bowl of Chicken Soup while watching.

**DrWho** · 2012-02-09 07:36

I fully agree..... re-activating Windows Mail in Win-7 may be a bit daunting for a total novice, so with that thought in mind, I'm at least going to attempt to write a program (probably a batch file) that will do the legwork for you.

It may even have to include the functions of Granting full admin control, un-hiding Hidden Files, maybe even shutting OFF UAC and then deleting the existing MSOE.dll file and replacing it with the same file taken from Windows Vista.

I think this is completely doable and all the necessary files, including an Instruction text file can be put in a single Zip file for easy downloading. If I can get it to work, I'll put it on my web site for a FREE download.

I've experimented with doing the reactivation of Windows Mail, remotely via Team Viewer and it worked perfectly.
I just uploaded the necessary files to the desktop on the remote PC and then ran the files in the proper sequence to get the job done. It took about ten minutes to complete.

For years, I've tried just about every EMail client that's come along and after some time I've always gone back to Outlook Express, for its pure Simplicity and ease of use. Most of my customers have never used anything else and a new and different program would just Freak them out.
I did install WLM for one customer shortly after Win-7 came out and he hated it. I agree. It was hard to set up compared to O.E.6 and it really looked Sick!

So when I have to install a new PC for my old customers, with Windows 7 on it, I just re-activate Windows Mail and set it up to look as much like their old O.E.6 as possible and they are happy campers.

I can also import their address book from XP in .csv format and it imports right into the new "Contacts" program.

But to each his own! Eh?

The Doctor

**Tinto Tech** · 2012-02-09 07:46

A quick question for somebody better versed in the Microsoft EULA's than me:

....and then deleting the exixting MSOE.dll file and replacing it with the same file taken from Windows Vista.

Is that allowable under the terms of the Vista and/or Win 7 licence?

**Joe-P** · 2012-02-24 10:33

If you did list on your web site, I trust you will post a link, because the link associated with your forum info shows no such.
Jo-P

**tripper** · 2012-11-08 07:00

Will that also work with RR Mail?

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