When you click the Read Mail button in the Command Bar in Internet Explorer, nothing may happen. The Read Mail button is supposed to launch the default mail client, and this problem occurs if the default mail client is not correctly set. Follow these steps to resolve the problem.

Instructions for Windows XP

Step I

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and click Properties

2. Select the Start Menu tab

3. Select the Start menu option, and click Customize…

4. Click the E-mail drop down box and select your mail client.

Important: If your mail client is already showing up as the default option, you still need to click the drop down menu and select the item. Otherwise the setting will not be saved correctly!

5. Click OK.

Step II

Note: You need to login as Administrator or equivalent to perform the following steps.

1. Open Internet Explorer

2. Click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options

3. Click Programs tab

4. Select your mail client from the drop down box.

5. Click OK to close the dialog.

Instructions for Windows Vista

1. Click Start, select Default Programs

2. Click Set your default programs

3. Select your mail client from the list

4. Click Set this program as default, and click OK.

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24 Comments

  1. Russ
    said this on Tuesday, August 24th 2010 1:21 am

    Thanks for this, worked first time

  2. alison
    said this on Friday, April 16th 2010 1:27 am

    many thanks, now able to read mail again.

  3. wes
    said this on Wednesday, April 7th 2010 9:34 pm

    Thank You,for me succes !

  4. ashley
    said this on Tuesday, March 30th 2010 11:17 pm

    Thanks a million – great, worked first time!

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