If Windows 11 still opens your email links in its built-in Mail app, but you honestly prefer Gmail — yeah, that web app that actually works — then this guide’s for you. Windows is kind of stubborn about opening email links, but with a little tweak in the right browsers, you can have Gmail take over. Keep in mind, this isn’t just about clicking a button; sometimes you gotta mess around with protocol handlers, app defaults, and browser settings. Expect to do this twice if you’re switching browsers, or maybe thrice if Windows throws a fit.
How to Set Gmail as Default Email Client in Windows 11
After these steps, clicking on mailto: links (or any email link) should open Gmail in your preferred browser, not some weird Windows app. It’s a bit manual, but totally doable — especially if Gmail’s your main email service. Just don’t be surprised if, on some setups, it takes a restart or a quick browser relaunch. This has worked for some people, but your mileage may vary. Windows has to make it obnoxiously complicated, of course.
Setting Gmail as Default Email in Microsoft Edge
Method 1: Adjust Protocol Handlers in Edge
This helps because browser protocol handlers tell Windows what to do with links like mailto:. If Gmail is blocked or not allowed, clicking email links will still open the Mail app or do nothing. Clearing up that blocklist can force Gmail to become the go-to.
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your PC.
- Click on the three dots (menu icon) at the top right.
- Navigate to Settings. On the left sidebar, find Cookies and site permissions.
- Scroll down to All permissions, find Protocol handlers, and click on it.
- If the toggle isn’t already on, enable it. Then check the list for `mail.google.com`. If it’s there, hit the Delete icon to remove it — this clears the block.
- Head over to Gmail in your browser. Refresh the page if it’s already open.
- Look for the Protocol Handler icon—it’s typically in the address bar, next to the URL. Click on it.
- A prompt will pop up with options: Allow, Block, or Ignore. Choose Allow. If you close this, it might get blocked again later, so just confirm.
- Now, set Edge as your default mailto handler. Open Settings (press Windows + I)
- Go to Apps > Default apps.
- In the search box, type Mailto. Find the email link handler and click the icon beside it.
- Select Microsoft Edge from the list. Hit OK.
At this point, clicking an email link should open Gmail in Edge, assuming you’ve set things up right. Sometimes on first try, you might need to restart your browser or even your PC for good measure. Yeah, Windows loves making this complicated.
Method 2: Make Gmail the Default in Windows Settings
This is the official way to tell Windows that Gmail (or rather, your browser) should handle email links. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- Open Settings with Windows + I.
- Click on Apps, then pick Default apps.
- Type Mailto in the search box. You’ll see a list of apps associated with mail links.
- Click the icon beside Mailto, then choose Microsoft Edge or your preferred browser from the list. Hit OK.
This sets your chosen browser handling the email links, redirecting them to Gmail if your browser is set up correctly. Not always foolproof, but it’s the official way.
Setting Gmail as Default in Google Chrome
Method 1: Change Protocol Handlers in Chrome
If Chrome’s your main browser, it’s pretty straightforward. Chrome can ask you politely if it should handle mail links via Gmail, but you have to give it the green light.
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three dots menu at the top right, then pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security > Site Settings.
- Click on Additional permissions to expand, then find Handlers.
- Ensure the toggle for Sites can ask to handle protocols is turned on.
- Navigate to Gmail. Reload if it’s open already.
- Look for the Protocol Handler icon — it’s usually in the address bar. Click on it and select Allow.
Now, make sure Chrome is your default handler for mailto links: Press Windows + S, search for Default apps.
- Scroll to Choose default apps by protocol.
- Find MAILTO, click the icon beside it, and pick Google Chrome.
This should work — at least, on most setups. Sometimes Windows resets your default apps after an update, so check if it’s still working after a restart.
Wrap-up
This is kinda messy, but once everything’s set properly, it’ll save you from opening the Mail app. Gmail + Windows 11 isn’t the smoothest combo, especially with all these protocol and default app settings, but it’s workable. On some setups, it takes a couple of reboots or browser restarts, so don’t get discouraged if it’s not perfect right away.
Summary
- Configure protocol handlers in your browser to allow Gmail to handle email links
- Clear any blocks for mail.google.com in browser permissions
- Set your browser as the default app for mailto links in Windows
- Be ready to restart browsers or the PC if settings don’t take immediately
Fingers crossed this helps
It’s kinda a pain, but once it sticks, clicking email links feels way more natural. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of frustration for someone. Good luck, and don’t forget to test a mailto link after all that fiddling!