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How to Fix Outlook’s There Is No Default Mail Client Error

This error usually occurs when Outlook is not the default email client

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Some Outlook users have posted on Microsoft’s forum about a curiousEither there is no default mail clienterror that arises on their PCs. That’s anOutlook error messagethat can pop up in slightly different circumstances.

The full error message says this:Either there is no default mail client or the current mail client cannot fulfill the messaging request. Please run Microsoft Outlook and set it as the default mail client.

What causes Outlook’s no default mail client error?

The above error message can simply pop up randomly in Windows for some users. Sometimes that error arises when users try to open email MSG files from File Explorer or when they try to share files via emails from Microsoft Office applications.

As theno default mail clienterror occurs in different circumstances, there are a few different causes behind it:

Therefore, there are a few ways you might be able to fix theno default mail clientOutlook error. This is how you can fix that error in Windows 10.

How can fix the no default mail client error in Outlook?

1. Set Outlook to be the default email client software

2. Repair your Microsoft Office suite

3. Edit the MSMapiApps registry key

The registry key path cited above is for 32-bit Microsoft Office versions installed on 64-bit Windows 10.

If you have a 64-bit Microsoft Office version installed on a 64-bit Windows 10 platform, you’ll need to apply this resolution at this registry path:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Messaging Subsystem\MSMapiApps

If you’re not sure about this here’s our guide onhow to check if your Windows OS is 32-bit or 64-bit.

4. Delete the Microsoft Outlook subkey

If you encounter any problems with editing the Registry, our guide onhow to gain full access to edit the Registry in Windows 10will help you.

5. Disable Cortana

Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise users can disable Cortana with Group Policy Editor.

You can do so by disabling the Allow Cortana setting at thisGroup Policy Editorlocation:Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Search

Also, you can contact Microsoft’s support service for Windows and Office about this issue. To get in touch with that help service, fill out the description box on theContact Microsoft Support pageand clickGet help. Then you can press aContact Supportbutton.

Alternatively, try posting a question on Microsoft’s Windows orOutlook forums. Simply click theAsk a questionbuttons on those forums to ask the community for potential resolutions. The Microsoft agents and independent advisors there will usually reply to technical queries.

Outlook users have widely confirmed the resolutions above can fix theno default mail clienterror. So, there’s a pretty good chance one of those resolutions will also resolve the sameOutlook issuefor you.

If you have any questions or suggestions, refer to our comments section below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Fix Outlook’s There Is No Default Mail Client Error#

What causes Outlook’s no default mail client error?#

How can fix the no default mail client error in Outlook?#

1. Set Outlook to be the default email client software#

2. Repair your Microsoft Office suite#

3. Edit the MSMapiApps registry key#

4. Delete the Microsoft Outlook subkey#

5. Disable Cortana#