Troubleshooting: Registering Hotmail with Default Programs Successfully

Register Hotmail with Default Programs — Quick Guide for Windows 11Windows 11 uses a Default Apps system to control which applications and services handle specific file types and protocols. If you prefer opening mailto: links or handling email-related files with Hotmail (Outlook.com) through the Mail app or a browser, you can register Hotmail as the default email handler. This guide covers multiple approaches: using the Windows 11 Settings, configuring the built-in Mail app, registering Hotmail in browsers, and troubleshooting common issues.

Why register Hotmail as the default?

Making Hotmail (Outlook.com) the default ensures:

• mailto: links open your Hotmail inbox.
• Email-related files or actions launch Hotmail rather than another mail client.
• A consistent experience across apps and browsers.

Two main ways to register Hotmail

1. Use the Windows 11 Default Apps settings to point email protocols to the Mail app or a browser configured for Hotmail.
2. Configure your browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) to handle mailto: links directly with Hotmail (Outlook.com).

Option A — Use Windows 11 Default Apps with the Mail app

1. Open Settings (Press Windows+i).
2. Go to Apps > Default apps.
3. In the search box under “Set defaults for applications,” type Mail and choose the built-in Mail app from results.
4. Click Mail to view the file types and protocols it can handle.
5. Find the MAILTO protocol and click it.
6. Select Mail (or Microsoft Mail) as the default handler.
7. If asked, confirm switching from another app.

Notes:

• The Windows Mail app integrates with Outlook.com (Hotmail) if you add your Hotmail account in Mail app’s Accounts settings (Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts > Add an account > Outlook.com). After adding, the Mail app will access your Hotmail inbox while acting as the MAILTO handler.
• If you prefer the native web Hotmail experience instead of the Mail app, use Option B.

Option B — Register Hotmail (Outlook.com) in your browser

If you use the web Outlook.com interface (Hotmail) and want mailto: links to open a new message in that web interface, set your browser to handle mailto: links with Outlook.com.

Common browser steps:

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge and sign into your Outlook.com account.
2. Go to edge://settings/content/handlers (or Settings > Cookies and site permissions > All permissions > Handlers).
3. Ensure “Allow sites to ask to become default handlers for protocols (recommended)” is enabled.
4. Visit outlook.live.com and, when the protocol handler prompt appears in the address bar, allow outlook.live.com to open all email links.
5. Alternatively, in Settings > Apps > Default apps, search for Microsoft Edge and set MAILTO to Microsoft Edge. Edge will then use the registered handler for mailto.

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome and sign into Outlook.com.
2. Click the protocol handler icon in the address bar (double-diamond) when visiting outlook.live.com — allow the site to open email links.
3. If you don’t see the icon, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Additional permissions > Protocol handlers and ensure sites can ask to handle protocols.
4. In Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps, set Google Chrome as the handler for MAILTO if needed.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox and go to Settings > Applications.
2. Find the “mailto” content type.
3. From the Action dropdown, choose “Use Outlook (webmail)” or “Use other…” and add a custom handler with the following URL:

   
   https://outlook.live.com/owa/?path=/mail/action/compose&to=%s 

4. If using Edge or Chrome as your primary browser, you can set that browser as the MAILTO default in Windows Settings and let it forward to Outlook.com.

Add your Hotmail account to the Mail app (recommended if using Mail app)

1. Open Mail app.
2. Click Settings (gear) > Manage accounts > Add account.
3. Choose Outlook.com from the list.
4. Sign in with your Hotmail/Outlook.com credentials and grant permissions.
5. After adding, the Mail app will sync your Hotmail account and act as the default handler for email if MAILTO is set to Mail.

Troubleshooting

• Mailto links still open the wrong app:
  • Open Settings > Apps > Default apps, search MAILTO, and explicitly set the desired app (Mail or your preferred browser).
• Browser handler prompt didn’t appear:
  • In browser settings, enable protocol handlers and reload outlook.live.com. Clear site data if necessary.
• Signed into multiple Outlook/Hotmail accounts:
  • Browser handlers may only open the account you’re signed into in that browser profile. Use separate profiles or ensure the correct account is active.
• Third-party email clients keep intercepting mailto:
  • Uninstall or change defaults for that client in Settings > Apps > Default apps.

Security and privacy notes

• When allowing a website to handle mailto links, you grant it the ability to open compose windows using the address. This does not hand over your emails or credentials; those remain in the browser session logged into your account.
• Use a browser profile dedicated to your Hotmail account if you want clearer separation from other accounts.

Quick checklist (summary)

• Add Hotmail to Mail app if using Mail app: Settings > Accounts > Add account > Outlook.com.
• Set MAILTO protocol in Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps to Mail or your browser.
• In browser, allow outlook.live.com to handle protocol handlers (enable site handlers).
• Test by clicking a mailto: link (e.g., mailto:[email protected]).