Help with Outlook error everytime windows starts up

Hello all,

First time posting here, though I've searched and used your help many times before

I am having an issue with my Dell Laptop, whereby everytime I boot up Windows, I receive an Outlook popup stating:

"either there is no default mail client or the current mail client cannot fulfill the message request"

I am running Windows XP media center edition and do not even use MS Outlook? I do have Office installed and regularly use Word, Excel, etc, but I've never even tried to install MS Outlook. Outlook Express is installed as a default, but I've never set it up or used it.

I'd appreciate any help or insight you might have on fixing this annoying issue.

Thanks,

Russell

 

Welcome to MG, trpltongue :wave Glad you could join us....
If you don't use OE for your mail, what do you use? Is this a new system? Have you tried to open OE, and go to TOOLS>OPTIONS , and see what is checked there?

I also have OE, but I use it as my default... Maybe you can just disable it if you are not using it... Should not be hard, just see what has a check mark in it, and we will go from there....

 

Thanks for the kind welcome!

I only use internet mail (hotmail and yahoo). I don't really need any of the other features of outlook with all the different calendar and contact tools out there these days.

I have opened OE and under TOOLS>OPTIONS there are a bunch of things checked, one of which states that OE is my default mail client.

Anything in particular I should be looking for?

 

Ah, this should be easy then. Just uncheck that box that says

then OK, and that should do it!
Please post back and let me know if that takes care of your issue...

 

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to de-select that. It isn't really a check box, rather a line that reads:

This application is the default mail handler

Then there is a box that is grayed out that reads "Make Default". So there doesn't seem to be any way to disable the attribute, rather there is only a way to make it the default in case something else is currently selected as default.

Perhaps I should just remove OE?

 

Hi, No, don't remove it, try this: Tools>Accounts>MAIL, and if there is an account there, just click remove and then OK.. That should take care of it...

You can also try to just uncheck everything, and see if you still get the error..

 

There is no account listed. I did try unchecking everything and still get the error upon reboot. The weird thing is that the popup box lists "Microsoft Outlook" in the title bar, not outlook express?

The below pops up every time that I boot up.

 

OK, go to run, type in

• msconfig then OK

• Click the third tab, WIN.INI

• un-check Mail, then OK and close.

That should disable your OE. If you should desire to restart it later, just follow the same steps, only put a check mark in the Mail box, and you will be able to use OE at that time...

OK, that means you have "Microsoft Outlook" not Outlook Express. Should still work..

 

Sorry for the delayed response. I had to go pick up the kids at school, get dinner going, etc.

Will uncheck and report back.

 

Unfortunately, no change. It still gives the same error.

 

I just got back myself from doing the same

 

OK, hang in there, I am going to find a way to stop the service entirely, without having to remove it..

 

If it only happens on boot, it must be triggered by something starting with Windows.

Can you list everything in your Startup list please > Start > Run, type in "msconfig" and press Enter, click Startup tab. Or from CCleaner > Tools > Startup.

 

OK, trpltongue, let's stop that puppy, shall we?

{ Start > run > [type in] services.msc }

The Services computer-management console includes a description of all services so that you can know ahead of time whether a particular service is one you want to turn off. It also lets you pause the service so that you can test your machine and see whether that service is needed.

After you run the console, click the Extended tab. This view will show you a description of each service in the left pane when you highlight the service.
The Startup Type column shows you which services launch on start-up--any with Automatic in that field. Click that column to sort together all the services that automatically launch on start-up. Then highlight each of those services and read the descriptions.

When you find a service you want to disable, right-click it and choose Properties. In the Properties dialog box that appears, choose Manual from the Startup Type drop-down list. The service won't start automatically from now on, but you can start it manually, if you choose.

 

Got too busy this evening to list out everything in the startup menu. Nothing looks like outlook or any other email program though. Similar results with the services. Nothing resembling outlook in there either.

Tomorrow evening I can get after it again when I get home from work.

I REALLY appreciate your help on this guys, sorry I don't have more time to work it.

Russell

 

Hi Russell , just take your time, we do have a few tricks up our sleeves, so try the solution I posted below, " let's stop that puppy, shall we" and then post your results... If that doesn't work, I have a few others we can use

 

TeeCee,

Thanks for hanging in there with me

I did try what you had posted last night. Unfortunately, none of the services that are automatically started seemed to have anything to do with a mail client so I didn't disable any of them.

When I get home I'll list out all the auto services and the startup entries for analysis.

Russell

 

Hi Russell, in the meantime, check this out while you wait for me, as we are in way different time zones :-D If you are on a hi speed connection, check this out: here... Might help to understand what we are dealing with... I'll check your list in the morning

 

OK, Russell, let's try the simple version FIRST, before getting into the File Lister, shall we? First, make sure outlook is not open. Now:

• OPEN IE

• click on Tools > Internet Options >Programs

• and change the "E-mail" pulldown menu selection *FROM* Outlook Express --- to your desired e-mail handling client

• Then CLOSE IE and reboot.

Did that make a difference?

 

Russell, be sure to click APPLY and OK after you do the changes below:

• and change the "E-mail" pulldown menu selection *FROM* Outlook Express --- to your desired e-mail handling client---- Then click APPLY and OK

Sorry, too late to edit, and it is early