What setting a default email does
When you click an email link on a website or in a document, your computer needs to know which email program to open. Setting a default email program tells your operating system which one to use. Without a default set, you might see a dialog asking you to choose every time, or the link might not work at all.
The default email program is separate from your email account. You can have Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo Mail as your account, but use Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or Microsoft Outlook as the program that opens when you click those links. The steps to change your default are different on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Key Takeaways
- Your default email program is the one that opens when you click an email link, and it is separate from which email service you use.
- On Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and search for "email" to change your default.
- On Mac, open System Settings > General > Default apps and choose your email program from the dropdown.
- Some email programs, like Thunderbird and Outlook, ask to become your default the first time you open them.
- If your email program is not in the list of defaults, you may need to update it or check the program's own settings.
How to set a default email on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Default apps.
Scroll down or search for "email" in the search box at the top. You will see a row labeled Email with your current default program shown. Click on that row to see a list of email programs installed on your computer. Select the program you want to use as your default. Windows will update the setting when ready.
If the email program you want does not appear in the list, it may not be installed or it may not support being set as a default. Try opening the program itself and looking in its settings or preferences for an option like "Set as default email program" — many programs offer this as a button or checkbox.
How to set a default email on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then scroll down and click Default apps.
Look for the Email row. Click the dropdown menu next to it and choose the email program you want to use. The change takes effect when ready. If your email program does not appear in the dropdown, make sure it is installed in your Applications folder and try restarting your computer.
Setting a default email in the program itself
Many email programs offer their own way to become the default. When you first open Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail, you may see a prompt asking "Set as default email program?" — click yes to confirm.
If you missed that prompt, you can usually find the option in the program's settings. In Thunderbird, go to Settings > General and look for a button labeled "Set as Default". In Outlook on Windows, go to File > Options > General and click "Make Outlook the default program". On Mac, the system settings method above is usually the only way.
What to do if your email program will not set as default
If you have installed an email program but it does not appear in your system's default apps list, the program may not be fully installed or may not support being a default. Try uninstalling and reinstalling it, or check the program's website to see if there is a newer version available.
Some email programs, particularly older ones or those designed only for web use, cannot be set as a system default. If you use Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or Outlook through a web browser, you cannot set the browser itself as your default email program — you will need to install the desktop version of one of those services or use a separate email client like Thunderbird.
If you have set a default but links still do not open your email, restart your computer. Sometimes the system needs to refresh its settings before the change takes effect.
Why you might want to change your default email
You might change your default email if you switch to a new email program, if you use multiple email accounts and want one program to handle them all, or if you installed a program by accident and want to remove it from being the default.
Changing your default does not affect your email accounts or the messages already in your old program. If you switch from Outlook to Thunderbird, your Outlook inbox stays in Outlook — you would need to export or forward those messages separately if you want them in Thunderbird.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have multiple email programs and switch between them?
Yes. You can install as many email programs as you want, but only one can be the system default. When you click an email link, the default will always open. To use a different program, you would need to open it manually and create the email there instead.
What happens if I do not set a default email?
If no default is set, clicking an email link may open a dialog asking you to choose a program, or it may not work at all. Setting a default prevents this confusion and makes email links work smoothly.
Does changing my default email delete my old messages?
No. Your messages stay in whatever program they were in. Changing the default only changes which program opens when you click an email link. If you want to move messages to a new program, you will need to export or forward them separately.
Why does my email program not show up in the default apps list?
The program may not be fully installed, may not support being a default, or may need to be updated. Try reinstalling it or checking the program's website for a newer version. Web-based email services like Gmail do not appear in this list — you need a desktop email client.
Can I set a web browser as my default email?
No. Only email programs designed to handle email links can be set as defaults. If you use Gmail or Outlook through a web browser, you will need to install the desktop version or use a separate email client like Thunderbird to set a system default.