Vista - Windows Mail - MailTo link error

**Brink** · **STEP ONE:**

How to Fix Multiple Browser Windows Open When You Click On a MailTo Link in Vista

Information

This will show you how to fix the multiple browser windows opening when you click on a MailTo link and get this error.

ERROR MESSAGE:
Action Cancelled. Could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed.

RELATED LINK:

How to Fix Most Problems with Vista's "Windows Mail"

STEP ONE:
To Stop the Multiple Browser Windows from Opening

Through a Download:
1. Click on the download button to download the Fix_Mulitiple_Browser_Windows.reg file.

2. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.

3. Right click the .reg (on desktop) file and click on Merge.

4. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.

5. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).

7. Do Step Two below.

The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start menu.

2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mailto (See screenshot below)
NOTE: It's there, just scroll past the file extentions.

5. In the right pane, see if you have the name URL Protocol with blank data.
A) If the data is not blank, then right click URL Protocol, click on Modify.

B) Clear the value data, and click on OK to apply. (See screenshot below)

C) Go to step 7.

6. If URL Protocol is not there, then right click on a empty area in the right pane and click New and click String Value. (See screenshot below step 5)
A) Type URL Protocol and press Enter.

7. Close regedit window.

8. Do Step Two below.

STEP TWO:
Set Windows Mail Default Associations

1. For how, see: How to Add Back and Set Windows Mail Default Associations

That's It,
Shawn

ravac · 07-07-2007

Windows mail was slow. Resetting sped it up. However, my problem is that any link in an email (windows mail and outlook) will not work. When I click on a link, it comes up with an error message that shows the url and states "Application not found." System restore was no help. Appreciate a new direction.

**Brink** · 07-07-2007

Hi Ravac,

It sounds like you need to make sure Windows Mail has all of it's default settings set for it. Look further down on this page for How to Add Back and Set Windows Mail Default Associations .

Shawn

**sooner1938** · 11-13-2007

Couple of questions, Shawn - do I have to do Step 2 after the manual procedure or only after the download?

"1. Click on New and click String Value."

Where will I see New if I do it manually?

**Brink** · 11-13-2007

Sonner1938,

You will need to do Step Two after either the download or the manual way.

B) If URL Protocol is not there, then add it by right clicking on a empty area in the right-pane.
***< 1. Click on New and click String Value. ***
< 2. Type URL Protocol and press Enter.

This is only if the URL Protocol is not listed on step 5. You would see New when you right click on a empty area in the right pane.

Shawn

P.S.
I updated the tutorial to make it easier to follow along.

**sooner1938** · 11-18-2007

Shawn,
Apparently there's something else causing that "cascade" effect because following your instructions, I went into the registry (with considerable trepidation, I might add

) and the data field following URL Protocol was blank, showing no value.

I had another cascade of web pages today (69 of them, in fact). I think it may possibly have something to do with "Dell's" Internet Explorer (I know, I know, Dell didn't write the program but "Internet Explorer provided by Dell" is what shows in my task bar.

**Brink** · 11-18-2007

Sooner1938,

I agree, it sounds like you have more going on. I would recommend for you to do a Repair Install. You can see how to do it in this tutorial. If you do not have a Vista installation DVD, you use a friends copy. Just use your product key.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

That Dell's Internet Explorer is just a custom title bar. This tutorial will show you how to easily change it to what you want.

How to Add or Change and Remove a Custom Title Bar in Internet Explorer 7

Shawn

cxg174 · 12-05-2007

Quote: Originally Posted by sooner1938

Shawn,
Apparently there's something else causing that "cascade" effect because following your instructions, I went into the registry (with considerable trepidation, I might add

) and the data field following URL Protocol was blank, showing no value.

I had another cascade of web pages today (69 of them, in fact). I think it may possibly have something to do with "Dell's" Internet Explorer (I know, I know, Dell didn't write the program but "Internet Explorer provided by Dell" is what shows in my task bar.

By cascade do you mean a whole slew of blank pages opening up, trying unsuccessfully to link to an email that you clicked on? I had the same problem. I figured it was because it was not outlook express. I reinstalled vista and it stopped, but I still can't click on an email link. I have to copy and paste it in to my email. This email is horrible.

**Brink** · 12-05-2007

cxg174,

I assume your other post indicated that you fixed your problem. If not, just let us know.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/83185-windows-mail-default-associations.html#post535214

Shawn

cxg174 · 12-05-2007

Quote: Originally Posted by brink

cxg174,

I assume your other post indicated that you fixed your problem. If not, just let us know.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/83185-windows-mail-default-associations.html#post535214

Shawn

Yes, I can now email people without copying and pasting the address, and I can print from my email. What a relief after struggling with this for weeks. It is almost likeable now, but I miss my always reliable outlook express. Have a wonderful day. You have made mine terrific!

07-07-2007
ravac Vista Home Premium 1 posts	Re: Windows Mail problems Windows mail was slow. Resetting sped it up. However, my problem is that any link in an email (windows mail and outlook) will not work. When I click on a link, it comes up with an error message that shows the url and states "Application not found." System restore was no help. Appreciate a new direction.
My System Specs

07-07-2007
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,924 posts	Re: Windows Mail problems Hi Ravac, It sounds like you need to make sure Windows Mail has all of it's default settings set for it. Look further down on this page for How to Add Back and Set Windows Mail Default Associations . Shawn
My System Specs

11-13-2007
sooner1938 Vista Home Premium 32bit 75 posts	Re: Windows Mail - MailTo link error Couple of questions, Shawn - do I have to do Step 2 after the manual procedure or only after the download? "1. Click on New and click String Value." Where will I see New if I do it manually?
My System Specs

11-13-2007
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,924 posts	Re: Windows Mail - MailTo link error Sonner1938, You will need to do Step Two after either the download or the manual way. B) If URL Protocol is not there, then add it by right clicking on a empty area in the right-pane. *****< 1. Click on New and click String Value. *** < 2. Type URL Protocol and press Enter. This is only if the URL Protocol is not listed on step 5. You would see New** when you right click on a empty area in the right pane. Shawn P.S. I updated the tutorial to make it easier to follow along.
My System Specs

11-18-2007
sooner1938 Vista Home Premium 32bit 75 posts	Re: Windows Mail - MailTo link error Shawn, Apparently there's something else causing that "cascade" effect because following your instructions, I went into the registry (with considerable trepidation, I might add ) and the data field following URL Protocol was blank, showing no value. I had another cascade of web pages today (69 of them, in fact). I think it may possibly have something to do with "Dell's" Internet Explorer (I know, I know, Dell didn't write the program but "Internet Explorer provided by Dell" is what shows in my task bar.
My System Specs

12-05-2007
cxg174 Vista Home Premium 32bit 3 posts	Re: Windows Mail - MailTo link error Quote: Originally Posted by sooner1938 Shawn, Apparently there's something else causing that "cascade" effect because following your instructions, I went into the registry (with considerable trepidation, I might add ) and the data field following URL Protocol was blank, showing no value. I had another cascade of web pages today (69 of them, in fact). I think it may possibly have something to do with "Dell's" Internet Explorer (I know, I know, Dell didn't write the program but "Internet Explorer provided by Dell" is what shows in my task bar. By cascade do you mean a whole slew of blank pages opening up, trying unsuccessfully to link to an email that you clicked on? I had the same problem. I figured it was because it was not outlook express. I reinstalled vista and it stopped, but I still can't click on an email link. I have to copy and paste it in to my email. This email is horrible.
My System Specs

Similar Threads
Tutorial	Category
Arrrgh HELP!!!!!! MailTo link problems	Browsers & Mail
Mailto link errors from IE only; works from Safari however	Browsers & Mail
mailto link in web page a problem	Vista General
the mailto link?? IE7 and vista	Vista General
clicking a mailto link in WM	Vista mail