Comments on: Can I direct "mail-to" links to Gmail so that Outlook, Thunderbird, etc. do not open?

Question: Can I direct "mail-to" links to Gmail so that Outlook, Thunderbird, etc. do not open?

vincele — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:33:00 -0800

Can I make "mail-to" links redirect to Gmail instead of Outlook or Thunderbird?

"Mail to" links always open free-standing mail programs like Outlook or Thunderbird. I would like to redirect "mail to" links to Gmail. Is there a way? I use Firefox on a Dell.

What I found on the web suggests that I can't do what I want to do. But I have a limited computer vocabulary so I have a hard time searching the AskMe archives or the internet for an answer. Thanks for your help.

By: The Michael The

The Michael The — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:39:55 -0800

In Firefox, go to Tools > Options, and then the "Applications" tab. Under "Content Type," find "mailto" and set it to "Gmail." You may have to install Google Notifier or Google Toolbar, but I'm not certain of that.

By: wannalol

wannalol — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:42:07 -0800

Check out this official explanation also.

By: vincele

vincele — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:43:20 -0800

The Michael The: It is set to gmail, but my computer still annoyingly opens Outlook. Could this be a setting my IT department controls and thereby overrides the Firefox setting?

By: wannalol

wannalol — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:46:13 -0800

If you are using Firefox 3 then following these instructions from Lifehacker should also accomplish what you want.

By: vincele

vincele — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:53:09 -0800

I tried Gmail notifier, but after I confirmed it is working with the correct password, I get error messages (that explanation point on the envelope). I'll re-install it and see what happens.

By: DecemberBoy

DecemberBoy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:53:16 -0800

You might want to try this GreaseMonkey script as well. I haven't used it, but it seems to do what you want.

By: vincele

vincele — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:07:08 -0800

Well I reinstalled gmail notifier, unchecked the first box, and now it seems to be working the way it should. I still get the annoying exclamation point, but I can live with that.

I'll try Greasemonkey and Lifehacker if the current method stops working.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. Favorites all around!

By: monkeymadness

monkeymadness — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:15:13 -0800

Gmail notifier has a problem with Gmail accounts set to always use https for security. It results in the error you mentioned. There's a patch out there:

Gmai Notifier

By: jrishel

jrishel — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:27:57 -0800

I use the greasemonkey script linked to by DecemberBoy, works well.

By: vincele

vincele — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:16:53 -0800

monkeymadness, I think your patch solved my problem. I do have the https setting enabled for gmail.* Thanks for the patch. I wouldn't have known to look for it.

jrishel, thanks for confirming DecemberBoy's script works.

*For others reading this thread, you can force gmail to use https. Go to Settings--> General--> Browser Connection --> Select https

What a helpful thread. Thanks everyone.