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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Thanks it worked with Step 1 ! Am under XP pro and IE 8.
Still do not understand why all of a sudden I connected to Outlook ,
using the “envelope” on the command bar, instead of Outlook Express as
was the case previously. My switch to IE 8 was not done a week ago but way back right when Microsoft offered the upgrade … strange
didnt work on mine. ””””xp doesn’t look like example. Internet options to set program to outlook express, or outlook or other the mail button still doesn’t workl
Thanks for the help. I was ready to give up of fixing the problem.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR THIS PRICELESS SOLUTION!
YOU ARE BRILLIANT. I TRIED RESETTING OUTLOOK EXPRESS THROUGH EVERY TOOBAR I COULD THINK OF EXCEPT FOR THE TASKBAR. PLUS MENTIONING THAT IT NEEDS TO BE CHOSEN EVEN IF IT’S ALREADY HIGHLIGHTED REALLY HELPS. THIS STEP FIXED IT.
THANKS AGAIN.
Thanks for this, worked first time
many thanks, now able to read mail again.
Thanks a million – great, worked first time!
Yeah thanks it it worked for me too.
George
Many thanks! After looking at a ton of cryptic suggestion on other sites, this clear, step-by-step procedure was just the ticket for a none too savy “Computer for Dummies” user. Worked first try.