Microsoft KB Archive/184846

= OL98: Configuring Outlook as the Default E-Mail Client for MSN 2.5 =

PSS ID Number: 184846

Article Last Modified on 6/11/2002

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Outlook 98

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This article was previously published under Q184846



IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry



SYMPTOMS
MSN, or the Microsoft Network version 2.5, automatically configures Microsoft Outlook Express as the default e-mail client rather than Microsoft Outlook 98.



CAUSE
This behavior is by design.



RESOLUTION
To configure MSN 2.5 or later to use Outlook as the default e-mail client, use either of the following methods:

Using the MSN 2.5 Program Viewer
 Determine your Outlook installation type. This is either "Corporate or Workgroup" or "Internet Mail." To determine your installation type, on the Outlook Help menu, click About Microsoft Outlook. The second line of the About Microsoft Outlook dialog box describes your installation type. Use your browser to navigate to the following URL:

http://memberservices.msn.com/us/default_help.asp

NOTE: This URL contains an underscore in the "default_help.asp" page name. In the left menu, click Frequently Asked Questions. Under Community, click E-Mail. Under Microsoft Outlook 98, click Can I use Microsoft Outlook 98 with MSN 2.5?, and then follow the instructions for your installation type.</ol>

Modifying the Registry to Set Outlook as the E-Mail Client
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

<ol> Click the Start button, and then click Run.</li> Type regedit, and then click OK.</li> Locate the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSN\Mail

</li> In the right pane, double-click Client.</li> Replace the value data with Microsoft Outlook .</li> Click OK.</li> On the Registry menu, click Exit.</li></ol>

Modifying the Registry to Reset Outlook Express as the E-Mail Client
<ol> Click the Start button, and then click Run.</li> Type regedit, and then click OK.</li> Locate the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSN\Mail

</li> In the right pane, double-click Client.</li> Replace the value data with Outlook Express .</li> Click OK.</li> On the Registry menu, click Exit.</li></ol>

This registry key determines which e-mail program starts when you select the E-Mail option on the MSN menu, and which mail program or account to use for e-mail notification. If you change this key to Microsoft Outlook, MSN uses Outlook as the default program (client).

Additional query words: 98

Keywords: kbhowto KB184846

Technology: kbOutlook98Search kbOutlookSearch kbZNotKeyword3

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