I sometimes like to use the reply/forward in MW and not my mail app. Recently it starting using Outlook (new) app rather than my Outlook 2021 app.
Where can I control what MW uses as its default mail app when replying to message WITHIN MW? I can't find this anywhere in my Win10/Win11 settings or anywhere MW settings.
Reply to Email in MW Issues
- Digerati
- Retired Microsoft MVP
- Location: Nebraska, USA
Post
Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom is NOT Free!
Windows and Devices for IT, 2007 - 2018
Heat is the bane of all electronics!
─────────────────────
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
That is odd that it changed. Are you sure the correct one is set?
In Settings > General > Washing Mail, make sure Microsoft Outlook - and not Microsoft Outlook (new) - is selected in the "Email program:" drop down menu. If the wrong one is selected, change it then remember to click Save.
In Settings > General > Washing Mail, make sure Microsoft Outlook - and not Microsoft Outlook (new) - is selected in the "Email program:" drop down menu. If the wrong one is selected, change it then remember to click Save.

Freedom is NOT Free!

Heat is the bane of all electronics!
─────────────────────
- blueboy714
- Travelling Tuatara
Post
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
Wash mail and Mail Program both work fine and open my Outlook 2021. It's only when I reply to an email in the preview screen that Outlook (new) opens up. That's what has me stumped.Digerati wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:38 amThat is odd that it changed. Are you sure the correct one is set?
In Settings > General > Washing Mail, make sure Microsoft Outlook - and not Microsoft Outlook (new) - is selected in the "Email program:" drop down menu. If the wrong one is selected, change it then remember to click Save.
- Digerati
- Retired Microsoft MVP
- Location: Nebraska, USA
Post
Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom is NOT Free!
Windows and Devices for IT, 2007 - 2018
Heat is the bane of all electronics!
─────────────────────
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
Hmmm. I cannot duplicate your problem here. Mine seems to work fine. Sorry. Hopefully gingbat will have a solution for you.

Freedom is NOT Free!

Heat is the bane of all electronics!
─────────────────────
- gingbat
- Least Evil Firetrust Employee
Post
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
Yep, just updated my PC too and windows changed the default to Outlook... nice of them....
When you click the reply or forward button in MWpro, this uses the default email client on your PC to open links, not the program listed in MWPro itself...
When you click the reply or forward button in MWpro, this uses the default email client on your PC to open links, not the program listed in MWPro itself...
- blueboy714
- Travelling Tuatara
Post
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
Not true in my case - my default is Outlook 2021 but when using reply within an email preview using MW it uses Outlook (new) - which is a new free app that MS is trying to shove down everyone's throats.
- gingbat
- Least Evil Firetrust Employee
Post
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
Yep, double check Outlook as ALL it's defaults, (mailto is the one MW uses) as likely not....?
If it does, try setting another program to open mailto links, restart your PC and test out the quick reply in MW, if that works, go back and set Outlook to open mailto links again....
If it does, try setting another program to open mailto links, restart your PC and test out the quick reply in MW, if that works, go back and set Outlook to open mailto links again....
- blueboy714
- Travelling Tuatara
Post
I have the same issue in my browsers (Firefox, Chrome, etc.) - when I try to open an email link it tries to open in my browser and not Outlook 2021.
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
That's part of my problem. The Win10 settings changed my default app from Outlook 2021 to Outlook (new). Now Outlook 2021 is not an option.gingbat wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 10:27 amYep, double check Outlook as ALL it's defaults, (mailto is the one MW uses) as likely not....?
If it does, try setting another program to open mailto links, restart your PC and test out the quick reply in MW, if that works, go back and set Outlook to open mailto links again....
I have the same issue in my browsers (Firefox, Chrome, etc.) - when I try to open an email link it tries to open in my browser and not Outlook 2021.
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- gingbat
- Least Evil Firetrust Employee
Post
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
Yep, sounds like you just need to change the default program that opens mailto links... google told me this via AI... seems pretty accurate... 
Steps
Open Start
Select Settings
Select Apps
Select Default apps
Scroll down and select Choose default apps by protocol
Find Mailto in the list
Select the email program you want to use as the default
You can also use the Control Panel to set your default mailto link:
Press the Windows key and R
Type control and press Enter
Select Small icons or Large icons
Click Default Programs
Select Set default for a file type or link type
Type mailto in the search bar
Select the program you want to use as the default
Click Set default

Steps
Open Start
Select Settings
Select Apps
Select Default apps
Scroll down and select Choose default apps by protocol
Find Mailto in the list
Select the email program you want to use as the default
You can also use the Control Panel to set your default mailto link:
Press the Windows key and R
Type control and press Enter
Select Small icons or Large icons
Click Default Programs
Select Set default for a file type or link type
Type mailto in the search bar
Select the program you want to use as the default
Click Set default
- blueboy714
- Travelling Tuatara
Post
I even tried Choose by Default Type. There I am able to change EML extensions from Outlook (new) or Mail to Outlook 2021 - but it's not letting me change mailto: apps. It doesn't even give me an option to search for the path of the Outlook 2021 app.
Thanks
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
Yes - this is exactly what I have been doing all along but it isn't working. For some reason Outlook 2021 is not an option. It's almost like Outlook (new) hijacked my computer.
I even tried Choose by Default Type. There I am able to change EML extensions from Outlook (new) or Mail to Outlook 2021 - but it's not letting me change mailto: apps. It doesn't even give me an option to search for the path of the Outlook 2021 app.
Thanks
- gingbat
- Least Evil Firetrust Employee
Post
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
Yes, that's odd alright.... Outlook may somehow have been missed from being registered as a default email program in Windows.....
You could try this....?
https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/outlo ... il-client/
You could try this....?
https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/outlo ... il-client/
- blueboy714
- Travelling Tuatara
Post
I had to repair the Office installation (I have Office 2021 Professional) and that did the trick.
Re: Reply to Email in MW Issues
BINGO!! PROBLEM SOLVED.gingbat wrote: ↑Sun Mar 09, 2025 12:01 pmYes, that's odd alright.... Outlook may somehow have been missed from being registered as a default email program in Windows.....
You could try this....?
https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/outlo ... il-client/
I had to repair the Office installation (I have Office 2021 Professional) and that did the trick.