Windows 7: Can't Make Windows Mail Default

I downloaded thunderbird and installed. Still won't let me set WM as default. Oh well.



I've sent MS feedback on this with every build.

Gary

I attached a registry file which assigns Windows Mail to 'mailto' links and besides imports all necessary registry keys used by Windows Mail.
Just double click the '.reg' file and confirm.

You can test 'mailto' links here.

Windows mail works fine for me

1) take ownership of the windows mail folder in Windows 7

2) Delete it
3) Copy Windows mail folder (the WHOLE folder / directory) to windows mail in program_files (x-64) or progran files(x86) if using the 32 bit version

4) Make a short cut on your desktop for WinMail.exe

5) start it -- import adress books / messages etc.

you should also get a prompt that it's NOT your default email client when starting it -- if you already have another email client such as Outlook 2007.

( I hate Windows Live as well -- I've got Office 2007 on my desktop but it's very convenient to have Windows Mail on a laptop -- as I don't have outlook installed on that one -- I only have the EXCEL 2007, Power point 2007 and word 2007 installed.)

Cheers
jimbo

From where?

Jimbo, appreciate the help but if it's copy the WM folder from Vista then that's what I've already done and although I'm using another email client it still wont stick at being the default if I try to do that.

I know I started this thread but it was more out of curiosity as to why it was happening. It really doesn't matter too much, to me anyway.

I updated the registry file. Please try it. Windows Mail should be the default application for mails and news now even although the option dialogue shows it is not.
Can't Make Windows Mail Default

Thanks. I doesn't seem to work on my rig, but I'm not too worried by it. Perhaps if I've left Outlook installed it might, because then WM would have something to default against that it knows.
I use Incredimail Premium as my default and it works fine. But I can't steal the default setting from it for some reason, not that I need to.

Incidentally, WM shows that it isn't the default news reader either, despite the fact that it's the only news reader.

I noticed that WM isn't even mentioned in Default Programs.

What exactly are you actually trying to accomplish?

Nothing. I was merely curious as to why I couldn't make WM the default mail handler.

I also noticed that, probably because WM is not officially supported in Win 7 it isn't even listed in Default Programs.

Thats the problem i think.
In case you still want to use Windows Mail, use it with the registry file I provided. It will definately be the default mail handler, even if Windows 7 or the option dialogue won't show it.

I use Windows Mail for Microsoft's Newsgroups. The newsreader is good. Even after applying that registry patch and rebooting I still can't make is default - anything. No matter, it really isn't important.
I guess if I had either Windows Live Mail or Microsoft Outlook installed then it might work.