Solved Mailto protocol missing

[abedrax]

Hi All

I cannot create a "mailto" shortcut that works. It appears that the mailto protocol is missing, Windows Live Mail is set as my default mail client in WLM settings, but it doe's not appear in the default program list. The only thing that shows up with any connection with WLM is "Windows Contacts"

I have been reading articles about this problem, and one suggested that a registry tweak in the "mailto" entry may repair the problem. However there is no "mailto" entry at the suggested location in the reg.

In default programs / Set program access and computer defaults / custom, I can choose WLM as my default email program, but when I return to that setting again it has reverted to "use current".

When I create a mailto shortcut it defaults it's association with Chrome, my default browser and carries a Chrome icon. I have re-installed WLM but that did nothing to resolve the problem.

Am running W7 Ultimate.


If anyone can help, it will be most appreciated.........

Thankyou for your help...Abe

 

[Brink]

Hello Abe,

You can go into Default Programs (Set Associations option), and scroll down towards the very bottom until you see the MAILTO protocol if listed here instead (should be). From here, you can select MAILTO, click on the Change program button, and select to have MAILTO use Windows Live Mail again.



Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[abedrax]

Hi Shawn

Thanks for your advice....

I have been into associate file types or protocols, but there is no "mailto" protocol. I have compared the same items on my laptop running W7 Home Premium and there are a lot more protocols mentioned including "mailto" which is associated with WLM.

I am thinking that this is an issue with my W7 Ultimate and not WLM as I have re-installed this software to no avail..

Regards.........Abe

 

[Brink]

Abe,

I exported my MailTo protocol from my registry for WLM and attached it below as a REG file. If you like, you could download and merge the REG file, approve the merge (Run, Yes, Yes, OK), then restart the computer to hopefully have your MailTo back.

 

[abedrax]

Thanks Shawn I'll give it a try, and get back to you.

Abe

 

[abedrax]

Hi Shawn

Tried the reg patch, but came up with a problem, when you try to merge it I get an error message "cannot import, error accessing the registry". I have added entries to the registry before and had no trouble, maybe I'm doing something wrong? Or maybe my Reg is corrupt?

have just realized that I do have the "mailto" entry in the reg "sorry shawn didn't scroll down far enough" but I cannot access it. Tried running regedit as admin and got this message........

"mailto cannot be opened an error is preventing this key from being opened, details: Access is denied"

Regards Abe

 

[Brink]

What's the registry location of this mailto key?

 

[abedrax]

Hello Again Shawn

I think it would be a good idea to give you some background on this problem.

Since installing Win7 I have had no need to create a “mailto” short-cut, so I have no idea if this is a recent problem, or if this has been evident since win7 was installed without me knowing.

I have recently been having problems with creating URL short-cuts in as much that the short-cut would default to an IE9 short-cut and not Chrome which is my default browser. When I looked in default programs URL short-cut was associated with IE9 but the tick boxes were ticked but greyed out and could not be changed.

About two weeks ago I uninstalled IE9 and this seemed to solve that problem. It's only in the past few days that I have discovered the “mailto” short-cut problem.

After trying the patch that you so kindly sent me with no success, I decided to investigate all the “mailto” entries in the Reg. Two of the entries denied me access. I had a look at the permissions of these entries and found that I indeed did not have the right level of access. I changed the permissions of both entries and rebooted.

Now “mailto” has appeared in the list of protocols, associated with “unknown program”. I tried to change the program, but the only program that appears is Google Chrome obviously not my e-mail client, however there is no option to browse for or indeed see more programs. WLM is still not listed in default programs.

I have since done a reinstall of WLM, still with no success. I have also tried the patch again, but that tells me that access is still denied.

Thanks again for your help.........

Sorry about the wordy reply.......Abe.

 

[Brink]

Abe,

You might take a look in Set Program Access and Computer Defaults to see if you may be able to enable access and select Windows Live Mail as the default email program. Afterwards, see if you may be able to select (check) MAILTO for Windows Live Mail in Default Programs.

 

[abedrax]

Hi

WLM is not listed in "Set your default programs".

However it is listed in "Set program access and computer defaults" under "custom" but if I choose it, it makes no difference and when I go back into Set Program access again the "use current" is selected

Mailto appears in "Associate a file or protocol" and is associated with "Unknown program" I cannot change this program, my only option if I try to is Chrome.

Will try gpedit route and let you know

Thanks Abe

 

[Brink]

Ok, it sure is being stubborn.

How about here:






If not, see if you may be able to use OPTION TWO in the tutorial below to add Windows Live Mail (C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Mail\wlmail.exe) to the list of available programs in "Open with" to hopefully then be able to select it in Default Programs afterwards.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/178066-open-add-program.html

 

[abedrax]

Hi Shawn

Tried the gpedit approach No joy..........

Created a mailto short-cut, then used open with, the only option available was "Internet Browser" what ever that is?

So browsed to WLM.exe and opened it...........Nothing happened.

I am at a loss with this one everywhere seems to lead to a dead end...Very frustrating.

I am thinking that this has to be a corruption of the Reg....Only way out re-install.

who knows what else will not work at some point.

Regards Abe

 

[Brink]

Abe,

As a last effort to try and avoid reinstaling Windows 7, you might create a new administrator account to see how it works while logged in it. This will help you know if it's just a issue in your original account or not.

 

[abedrax]

Hi

Tried new account........still the same.

Oh well re-install here I come, just as well I saved all my drivers,accounts, bookmarks and e-mails into Dropbox. That will save a bit of time.

Thanks again for all your help.

Best wishes Abe.......

I may return?????????????

 

[Brink]

Well, it was worth a shot. I hope the reinstall goes smoothly for you.

 

[roncerr]

...In default programs / Set program access and computer defaults / custom, I can choose WLM as my default email program, but when I return to that setting again it has reverted to "use current"...

That is normal behavior. For example, when IE shows the Page Options: "Send Page by Email" or "Send Link by Email" as greyed out (not working), doing what you said restores their functionality. This reminds me to ask if those Page options are functioning in IE. Also, if you click on [email protected] does it open a WLM new message window?

 

[BobDiky]

Abe,

I exported my MailTo protocol from my registry for WLM and attached it below as a REG file. If you like, you could download and merge the REG file, approve the merge (Run, Yes, Yes, OK), then restart the computer to hopefully have your MailTo back.

Thank you so much for that registry key! I made the mistake of messing with the MailTo protocol and the keys were damaged after that.

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but it was just what I needed. Can I ask what are the permissions for the classes_root\mailto key? I'm not sure if they are right after all the messing up. Thanks again

 

[roncerr]

Can I ask what are the permissions for the classes_root\mailto key?

I'm not sure I'm the best person to respond, since I sometimes mess with the permissions in the Windows folder. Also I've switched to Windows 8. But I don't think I purposely messed with that key in Regedit. I have full control for me, administrators, and system and read for restricted and all application packages.

 

[Brink]

Hello Bob, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I have the same default permission settings as Ron for that key.

 

[matup]

For me this solution worked, without the need of intalling new software:

How to set Gmail as default email client in Windows 8? - Super User