Windows – How to associate the mailto protocol with a custom exe

file associationprotocolwindowswindows 8windows-registry

In Windows 8, How do you set the default program for the mailto protocol to a custom exe? Under Default Programs, the only option I get is to select from a list of programs (Mail or Google Chrome) or to "Look for an app in the store". However, I want to associate the mailto protocol with a custom exe.

Best Answer

The following saved as a .REG file, edited to specify my custom EXE and imported into the registry works for me in Windows 7:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto]
"URL Protocol"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto\shell]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto\shell\open]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto\shell\open\command]
@="C:\\Path\\to\\Program.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\mailto]
"URL Protocol"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\mailto\shell]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\mailto\shell\open]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\mailto\shell\open\command]
@="C:\\Path\\to\\Program.exe"

Remember that your setting can always be overridden by the user via browser options.

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