Default email client in File Explorer

Question

I want to update the default program for the Mail recipient shortcut file under the SendTo folder in File Explorer.

Currently it is stuck on Windows Live Mail, which I no longer use

(I have set Outlook2013 as my default email app in Windows10 settings)

I followed the following steps in File Explorer:

1. Press the Windows key to open the Start Menu.
2. Select File Explorer.
3. To open the SendTo folder, type the following command on the address bar:

shell:sendto

4. Right-click on the Mail recipient file, and click Properties.
5. Next to the Opens with: option, click Change.
6. Click More apps.

But Outlook 2013 (my default email app) did not appear

So I selected "look for another app on this pc" and found Outlook.exe (in Program Files/Microsoft Office 15/root/office15)

But when I clicked on this, I get an error message: "The program you have selected cannot be associated with this file type. Please choose another program"

Can you please advise why this doesn't work and/or what else I can try?

Answer 1

Thank you kndly,  Gowrish

Although my Outlook.exe file is in a different location, following your method I was able to add Outlook to the "send to" right click drop down menu in File Explorer.

However, when I select the Outlook icon, I now receive the following error message:

"The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using."

Answer 2

Hello,

Thank you for the reply.

Please refer the section “More Information” from this link to fix the error “The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using.”

Hope this helps.

Let us know if you got the help you needed by clicking Yes or No.

Regards,

Gowrish S

Microsoft Community-Moderator

Answer 3

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Please try these steps-

1. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16 and copy Outlook.exe file.
2. Paste it in %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo.

Please check if you are able to see the Outlook 2013 option once you follow these steps.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Gowrish S

Microsoft Community -Moderator