Easiest Way To Set Gmail As Default Firefox 3 Mail Client

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Does email clients such as Microsoft Window Mail or Microsoft Outlook Express prompt up everytime you click on an email link?. If you are a Firefox 3 user and use Gmail frequently, then you can configure and set Gmail as a default email client. The latest Firefox 3 comes with support of YahooMail as default email client. For Gmail users, some setting needs to be done to edit the mailto application handler.

At the Firefox 3 address bar, type about:config and you will be prompted with a warning page as shown below. Just click on I’ll be careful, I promise!

about config

Type in gecko.handlerService into the Filter box until you get gecko.handlerService.allowRegisterFromDifferentHost Preference name.

gecho

Make sure the value is True. Change it if it’s already not, by double clicking on it.

double click

Also check for network.protocol-handler.external.mailto Preference name, by typing it in Filter bar.

network

Make sure the value is True.

Now copy the following code in the address bar and press ENTER.

javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler("mailto","https://mail.google.com/mail/?extort=mailto&url=%s","GMail")

code


Copy the following link and press ENTER only if you are a Google Apps user

javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler("mailto","https://mail.google.com/a/example.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s","GMail")

Firefox 3 will thence prompt you a question whether you want to add application. Click on the “Add Application” button.

add application

Now to set Gmail as default client, click any email link and on the window that opens, select Gmail from the list and check Remember my choice and press OK.

prompt

IF You Want To Revert Back To Old Email Client

If you ever want to revert back to your default windows mail client, follow these simple steps:

Navigate To Tools > Options > Applications in Firefox 3.

mailto

Change the selection of now default Gmail client in mailto option to windows default Live Mail Client or any other of your choice.

live mail

And you are done :)

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  • Kevin

    Hello, Great tip and well documented, thanks very much.
    One issue I had to debug…. the link you posted for Google apps users has slanted (italic?) double quotes, i.e. ”mailto” instead of “mailto”. The slanted double quotes are not legal javascript delimiters and cause a javascript error. I had to change them to regular double quotes and then it worked. You should change it in your tip. The link for regular gmail users is correct.

    Thanks, Kevin

  • dataddict

    I couldn’t get gmail to create a new window with the email after hitting a mailto link. I was just forwarded to my inbox.. link:

    https://mail.google.com/mail/?extort=mailto&url=mailto%3Anakodari%40addictivetips.com#inbox

    Do you know why?

    Thanks,
    dataddict

    • http://www.addicitivetips.com Nakodari

      Please check the code again and try setting it up from start. And as kevin pointed up in the comment, make sure you have typed the correct double quotes(“).

  • http://computergamesnews.blogspot.com/ RedheadGirl

    I keep listening to the news speak about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one.

  • Jake

    ERROR IN FIRST SCRIPT:

    Change extort to extsrc

    Also, most people reading this should not use the second script.

    Just use:
    javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler(“mailto”,”https://mail.google.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s”,”GMail”)

    • Jake

      Also, make sure those double quotes are not slanted…

  • Eddie

    Is there any way to have this behaviour open in a new window automatically? Very often if I've clicked a mail address in a web page, it's because I want to discuss the web page. I always write a load of stuff and then want to cut and paste something to finish off, and too late realise I have to lose my typing or mess around in new windows.

  • Eddie

    Is there any way to have this behaviour open in a new window automatically? Very often if I've clicked a mail address in a web page, it's because I want to discuss the web page. I always write a load of stuff and then want to cut and paste something to finish off, and too late realise I have to lose my typing or mess around in new windows.

  • Nouman

    Great articel. Gmail is the best mail service ever. EVER