Microsoft demands default email be Outlook. I can't change this.

[lakemono]

In Windows/Microsoft, I have tried to change my preferred e-mail client from Outlook to AOL, but the place for creating changes stubbornly will not untick any of the boxes.

Any suggestions? Maybe even a suggestion on how to untick each and every box? I am following these steps:

Control Panel Home > Default Programs > Set Default Programs > Microsoft Office Outlook

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

[skwire]

Does AOL even offer a stand-alone mail client that you CAN make the default?  As in, a client that is non-browser based?  If so, does it show up in the list of programs (on the left side of the Set Default Programs window) you can choose from?

[lakemono]

Not sure about AOL - I can access my AOL email through Internet Explorer, as well as through AOL (the actual bloatware program). As for a list of programs showing up on the left side of the "Set Default Programs" window --- there is no list. Nothing at all to choose from.

[40hz]

If you don't have an eligible replacement program installed - or Windows can't find it - it won't appear as a choice for default app.

AOL isn't recognized as a standalone e-mail app as skwire hinted earlier.

If you had something like Thunderbird or similar installed, you should be allowed to switch to it.

I don't think "none" is an option for the defaults. If you don't pick something, Microsoft will use its own products as the defaults.

[mouser]

I wonder if it would be possible to make a little utility that is eligible to register itself as a default mail handler, and which could invoke a browser-based mail thing like aol or gmail (presumably by opening a url with the recipient in the url)?  Might have some limitations such as not being able to carry over the body of the message, but that might not be important for most uses?

[wraith808]

I wonder if it would be possible to make a little utility that is eligible to register itself as a default mail handler, and which could invoke a browser-based mail thing like aol or gmail (presumably by opening a url with the recipient in the url)?  Might have some limitations such as not being able to carry over the body of the message, but that might not be important for most uses?

It is... google does the same thing for gmail.

[mouser]

google does the same thing for gmail.

Can you clarify what you are saying?

[4wd]

Possibly this may help: GmailDefaultMaker

Note: It's not only for GMail.

Supported Web-Based Email Service Providers:

• Gmail
• Google Apps
• Yahoo
• Hotmail
• AOL
• QQ Mail

[mouser]

There we go, it looks like you found exactly what is needed.

lakemono, give it a try!

[x16wda]

This is not an answer to the original question, but OWAtray does the same thing for Outlook Web App if you're doing Exchange based email.

[wraith808]

google does the same thing for gmail.

Can you clarify what you are saying?

Google has an extension that makes it the default handler for mail.  It is not a browser, but a little app that sits in your tray.  I think they may have deprecated it so you have to use google talk (which is registered the same way).

Google Notifier

[app103]

In case you don't know, you can use ANY desktop email client for AOL mail.

http://help.aol.com/help/microsites/microsite.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=73219

I suggest if you plan on switching back and forth between using desktop email software and the AOL software (or webmail), that you configure your email client to use IMAP instead of POP3. That way your mail stays stored on their servers, like you are used to.

Does AOL even offer a stand-alone mail client that you CAN make the default?  As in, a client that is non-browser based?  If so, does it show up in the list of programs (on the left side of the Set Default Programs window) you can choose from?

They used to, but they killed off AOL Communicator (which was actually quite nice) when they opened up IMAP access to their users, allowing them to pretty much use whatever software they wanted.

[TaoPhoenix]

Possibly this may help: GmailDefaultMaker

Note: It's not only for GMail.

Supported Web-Based Email Service Providers:

• ...
• • Yahoo
• ...

I was never worried about this, but this looks like a nice finesse I may try because I am tired of keeping getting Outlook Express in certain contexts.