Mail Button in Internet Explorer Does Not Function If Netscape Mail Is the Default Client

• Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

SYMPTOMS

If Netscape Messenger is set as your default mail client, clicking Mail and then clicking Read Mail does not start Netscape Messenger.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Netscape Setup does not create a necessary key in the registry. This key is necessary for Internet Explorer to open the mail reader.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To resolve this issue:

1. Locate the following key in the registry:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Clients\Mail\Netscape Messenger




2. In the Netscape Messenger key, create a key named "shell" (without the quotation marks).



3. In the "shell" key, create a key named "open" (without the quotation marks).



4. In the "open" key, create a key named "command" (without the quotation marks).



5. In the "command" key, change the data value of the "Default" value to:

   "c:\Program Files\Netscape\Communactior\program\netscape.exe" -mail

   NOTE: You may need to change the path listed above to reflect the correct path to the Netscape.exe file.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kb3rdparty kbenv win98se 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: June 8, 1999