OL2000: Configuring Outlook as the Default E-mail Client for MSN 2.5

ID: Q195790

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000


IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

MSN, the Microsoft Network version 2.5, automatically configures Microsoft Outlook Express as the default e-mail client rather than Microsoft Outlook 2000.


CAUSE

This behavior is by design.


RESOLUTION

To configure MSN 2.5 to use Outlook as the default e-mail client, use one of the following methods:

Using the MSN 2.5 Program Viewer



To configure MSN 2.5 to use Outlook as the default e-mail client using the MSN 2.5 program viewer, follow these steps:

  1. Start the MSN 2.5 Program Viewer.


  2. On the Communicate menu, click Member Services.


  3. On the Member Services Page, click Help & Support, and then click Frequently Asked Questions.


  4. Click E-mail FAQs, and then click Microsoft Outlook 2000.


  5. Under the heading Microsoft Outlook 2000 FAQs, click Can I use Microsoft Outlook 2000 with MSN 2.5?


  6. Click the link for the type of installation you selected when you installed Outlook, and follow the instructions.


WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

Modifying the Registry



To configure MSN 2.5 to use Outlook as the default e-mail client by modifying the registry, follow these steps:

  1. On the Windows Start menu, click Run.


  2. Type REGEDIT, and click OK.


  3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSN\Mail


  4. In the right pane, double-click Client.


  5. Replace the value data with "Microsoft Outlook" (without quotation marks).


  6. Click OK.


  7. On the Registry menu, click Exit.


To Reset Outlook Express as the E-mail Client



To reset Outlook Express as the e-mail client, follow these steps:

  1. On the Windows Start menu, click Run.


  2. Type REGEDIT, then click OK.


  3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSN\Mail


  4. In the right pane, double-click Client.


  5. Replace the value data with "Outlook Express" (without quotation marks).


  6. Click OK.


  7. On the Registry menu, click Exit.


Additional query words:

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto


Last Reviewed: May 14, 1999
© 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.