There is no email program associated to perform the requested action

Anonymous
2013-03-22T14:18:44+00:00

When I right-click on a file, in File Explorer, and select Send to > Mail recipient I get a message box saying:

There is no email program associated to perform the requested action. Please install an email program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel

I have done as instructed with no results

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2013-03-22T14:44:34+00:00

This issue may occur if the Outlook registry key is corrupted. When other programs try to use the Outlook Simple MAPI interface, they cannot retrieve the required information from the registry.

You must first remove the corrupted Outlook registry key, and then perform a Detect and Repair operation to have Outlook rebuild the key. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then press ENTER.
  3. In Registry Editor, locate the following subkey in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Clients\Mail\Microsoft Outlook
  4. Select the subkey, and then press DELETE.
  5. Click Yes.
  6. Quit Registry Editor.
  7. Start Outlook.
  8. On the Help menu, click Office Diagnostics.
  9. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the repair.

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55 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-07-11T03:50:07+00:00

    no "Microsoft outlook" appeared ???...what next?

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-07T18:13:52+00:00

    I don't have outlook on this machine is there a way I can fix this with windows or gmail  mail ?

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-02-27T17:00:31+00:00

    I have this problem when I try to email a photo from a website page.  I did as you said and got as far as the Registry Editor.  One of the options listed is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.  It does not show \Software\Clients\Mail\Microsoft Outlook. 

    As an aside, while I was attempting to fix this, I evidently did something that is now preventing me from reducing the size of the page I am viewing.  Sorry I don't know the terms.  I mean when I click on the symbol that looks like a stack of pages (in between the x in a red box and the -) in the very top right of a screen, nothing happens.  I jerks but does not reduce the page.  Any idea what I might do?  All I've done is what you suggested as I wrote above AND went to the Control Panel and default programs and clicked on Mail.  That's it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-04-02T14:10:08+00:00

    This worked perfectly with windows 8, office 7. Thank you!

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