Everyone has his own preference when it comes to default email client. Some prefer Gmail, some Yahoo, Evolution (if you are Linux fan), Thunderbird and some use the newest kid in competition for email, Zoho Mail. So why should you be forced to use the default email client specified by the operating system when you prefer to send the email with something else.
This happens when you click on any email link on any web page or email and it opens a compose window in the default email client.
Gmail & Yahoo Mail:
To set your preferred email client in Firefox, here is a small how to for you:
  • Go to Edit -> Preferences -> Applications
    (If you are using Firefox on Windows, then you will find it under Tools -> Options..)
  • Looks for content type ‘mailto’
  • There is a drop down, which by default shows Evolution in Ubuntu.
  • From the drop down menu you can select Gmail or Yahoo.
Zoho Mail:
If you use Zoho, then do the following:
  • Login to Zoho Mail in a tab in Firefox.
  • Copy and paste the following URL in your browser address bar.
    javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler(“mailto”,”http://mail.zoho.com/mail/compose.do?extsrc=mailto&mode=compose&tp=zb&ct=%s”,”Zoho Mail”)
  • Now follow the steps mentioned above for Gmail and Yahoo. You will see Zoho Mail as an option there now.

AOL/AIM Mail:
If you use AOL/AIM mail, then do the following:

  • Login to AOL/AIM mail.
  • Go to Settings -> Compose.
  • At the very bottom of this page you will see, Firefox 3 Add-on that says, ‘Open AOL mail as email client while browsing web pages’.
  • Click on that link which will add an AIM application to the mailto menu in Firefox applications.
  • Now follow the same steps mentioned above for Gmail and Yahoo. You will see AOL mail as an option now.
Hope it helps those looking for changing their default email clients in Firefox.
By the way which is you default email client?

Update #1:  Added details about Application menu under Windows.


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