OE6 not default - tried all the usual tricks

I don't know if I'm at the right place, but here goes:

I cannot open OE6 from internet links to send mail. It was defaulting to Outlook, so I tried all the usual changes to no avail:

First checked in OE options that it was set to default, it wasn't, Outlook was, so I changed it. Nothing.

Went to IE and did the same thing - tools/options/programs.. email is blank, pull down menu only shows Outlook.

Tried doing it through the registry by entering "command," then typing "C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /reg
Windows gives me "end program" mssg.

Can't go through the Control Panel. It's like Windows does not even recognize the program - like it's not there at all.

Any ideas are appreciated.

 

Try this.

Download Mozilla Thunderbird, install it. If you like it, stick with it. It will import all your contacts, messages, etc from Outlook Express.

If you don't like it, un-install it. It may make OE work again.

And, you said you're using Internet Explorer. I recommend Mozilla Firefox, for it is a much better, safer, and faster browser.

 

I use Firefox... just read in all the help info I found to go to IE "options" to set it as default email program there, but I never use Explorer. Honestly I wish there was a simpler way. I'm not anxious to download anything else, especially if I'm not going to use it. I've always used OE, and it seems like I tried T'bird when Firefox was 1st released it. Anyway I may try again, since nothing else seems to be working. Thanks for the tip.

 

No problem. But, still, try that. Install it, then uninstall it. When it looks for a new default after thunderbird is gone, it will most likely pick OE, considering it's defaulted.

 

I tried installing and uninstalling T'bird and it didn't work. Maybe I should just uninstall Office then reinstall w/out Outlook?

TIA