Cannot Specify Mail Program in Internet Explorer

ID: Q176571

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 5 for Windows 95
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 5 for Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you view the Mail and News settings for Internet Explorer, you may not be able to specify your mail program. Also, when you try to make Outlook Express your default Internet mail client, you may be unable to do so.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when you uninstall Microsoft Outlook 97.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, reinstall Microsoft Outlook Express or reinstall Internet Explorer. To do so, see the appropriate section:

Install Outlook Express

Outlook Express is an Internet Explorer component that you can install after Internet Explorer is installed by using the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

For information about how to add or remove Internet Explorer components, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID : Q171229
   TITLE      : How to Add and Remove Internet Explorer Components

Install Internet Explorer

Reinstalling Internet Explorer restores Windows Messaging as a mail service option. For information about Windows Messaging and installing Internet Explorer, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID : Q158435
   TITLE      : Windows Messaging Missing from Mail and News Options

   ARTICLE-ID : Q154012
   TITLE      : How to Remove and Reinstall IE 3.0 for Windows 95

   ARTILCE-ID : Q170993
   TITLE      : How to Install Internet Explorer and Troubleshoot Setup
                Problems

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about this issue, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID : Q154359
   TITLE      : How to Change Default Mail Client for Internet Explorer

   ARTICLE-ID : Q174431
   TITLE      : OFF97: Problems Occur After Removing MS Internet Explorer
                4.0

Additional query words: 4.00 olexpress outex inetmail

Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg msiew95 msient win98 msiew98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: March 21, 1999