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How to Fix No Email Program to Perform Action Error in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Encountering the “No email program to perform action” error in Windows 11 can be frustrating. This issue usually occurs when you try to send an email via a link or an app, but Windows can’t find a default email application to complete the task.

Fortunately, fixing this problem is usually straightforward. It mostly involves checking your email app settings and making sure Windows knows which program to use.

This guide will walk you through simple, step-by-step instructions to resolve this issue quickly and get your email links working again.

Follow along carefully, and you’ll have your system sending emails in no time.

Quick Note: What You Should Check Before Starting

  • Make sure you have at least one email client installed on your computer, such as Microsoft Outlook, Mail (default Windows app), or Thunderbird.
  • Check that your email app is fully set up with your email account and can send and receive messages normally.
  • Ensure your Windows 11 system is up to date, as updates often fix bugs related to default apps.
  • Have administrator access on your PC, as some changes require admin permissions.

Step 1: Set Your Default Email App in Windows 11

Windows needs to know which program to use when you click on an email link (mailto link). Setting a default email app tells Windows exactly this.

  1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
  2. Select Settings (the gear icon).
  3. Go to Apps from the left sidebar.
  4. Click on Default apps.
  5. In the search bar under “Set defaults for applications,” type the name of your email app (for example, Mail or Outlook).
  6. Click on your email app from the list.
  7. Make sure the MAILTO protocol is assigned to this app. If not, click on it and select your email program.

Why this matters: The MAILTO protocol is what Windows uses to open email links. If it’s not linked to your email app, Windows won’t know how to send emails from links.

Step 2: Reinstall or Repair Your Email App

If setting the default app didn’t help, the email program itself might have issues.

  • Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
  • Find your email application in the list.
  • Click the three dots next to it and choose Modify or Repair if available.
  • Follow the prompts to repair the app.
  • If repair is not an option or doesn’t work, consider uninstalling and then reinstalling the email app from the Microsoft Store or the official website.

Why repair or reinstall? Sometimes app files get corrupted or misconfigured, which can stop Windows from recognizing it correctly.

Step 3: Use Windows Troubleshooter for Default Apps

Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters that can fix common app issues automatically.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  3. Find the Default Apps troubleshooter.
  4. Click Run next to it and follow the on-screen instructions.

This tool scans for issues with default app settings and can fix them without manual effort.

Step 4: Reset Default Apps to Microsoft Recommended Defaults

If the problem persists, resetting all default apps to their original Microsoft settings can help.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
  2. Scroll down and click the Reset button under “Reset all default apps.”
  3. After resetting, repeat Step 1 to set your preferred email app as default again.

This clears any conflicting or incorrect app associations that might be causing the error.

Alternative Method: Manually Configure the MAILTO Protocol via Registry (Advanced)

Warning: Editing the Windows Registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Only proceed if you are comfortable with advanced troubleshooting.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Navigate to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmailtoshellopencommand
  4. Double-click the (Default) entry and ensure the value points to your email client executable. For example, for Outlook it might look like:
    "C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficerootOffice16OUTLOOK.EXE" -c IPM.Note /m "%1"
  5. If it’s incorrect or missing, you can modify it to the correct path of your email app.
  6. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

This method forces Windows to use the specified program when email links are clicked.

FAQs

Why do I see the “No email program to perform action” error?

This happens when Windows doesn’t have a default email app set or cannot find one installed. It needs a program linked to the MAILTO protocol to send emails from links or apps.

Can I use webmail like Gmail or Outlook.com instead of an email app?

Windows requires a desktop email client for MAILTO links. Some browsers or third-party tools can associate mailto links with webmail, but this requires extra setup outside the scope of Windows default apps.

What if I don’t want to install another email program?

You can configure your browser to open mailto links with webmail services, but this varies by browser and requires additional configuration.

Will resetting default apps affect other file types?

Yes, resetting defaults will revert all app associations to Microsoft’s recommended defaults, so you may need to reassign some file types or protocols later.

Is the Windows Mail app good enough to set as default?

Yes, the built-in Mail app works well for most users and can be set as the default email client easily.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still face the issue, consider these final options:

  • Run Windows Update: Sometimes system updates fix underlying bugs.
  • Create a new user profile: Corrupted user profiles can cause app association problems.
  • Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support website for personalized help.
  • Use Third-Party Tools: Some tools can help manage file and protocol associations more thoroughly.

Conclusion

The “No email program to perform action” error in Windows 11 usually results from missing or incorrect default email app settings. By carefully setting your default email client, repairing or reinstalling the app, and using Windows troubleshooters, you can fix the problem quickly.

Remember to check that your email application is installed and working properly before making changes. If needed, resetting defaults or manually configuring the MAILTO protocol can help resolve stubborn issues.

Following this simple step-by-step guide should get your email links working again and make your Windows 11 experience smoother.

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