How to Make Gmail Your Default Windows 10 Email Client

Gmail is one of the most popular email applications. It’s practically synonymous with email. However, if your computer is running on Windows 10, Gmail is not your default e-mail client. If you’re setting up your Windows 10 and exploring the Microsoft features, you’ll notice that it’s Windows Mail that is the default.

But that doesn’t have to be the case. You can have Gmail as your default email client. So, how do you set it up?

Google Chrome E-Mail Setup

Google Chrome and Gmail go hand in hand. So, you might as well set up Gmail as your primary email client. Here is what you need to do to change that:

1. Open your Chrome Browser and go to “Settings.”
   
2. Then proceed to select “Privacy and security.”
   
3. Click on “Site Settings.”
   
4. Click on “Additional permissions.”
   
5. Finally, select “Protocol handlers.”
   

When you are there, you have to make sure that you switch for “Allow sites to ask to become default handlers for protocols (recommended)” is turned on. What you need to do next is to sign in your Gmail account and select the handler icon that you’ll see next to the star icon. It’s on the right side of the address bar. Select “Allow” from the dialog box. And click “Done” after that.

Then, you have to head to the Windows Settings. Go to Apps>Default apps>Email. You need to change the Email app to Google Chrome in the right panel.

That will let Windows 10 know that your default e-mail client is Gmail, and it will open Chrome next time you click on one of the e-mail links. After you set everything up, you should probably go and test it out. Just click on any e-mail from any website. The e-mail address should already be in the address bar. All you have to do is come up with the subject line and go on to write your email.

How to Create a Gmail Shortcut on Your Windows 10 Desktop

Creating a Gmail shortcut on your Windows 10 desktop is easy.

1. Right-click on your Desktop and go down to New>Shortcut and click on it.

2. Type www.gmail.com for the location of the item and click “Next.”

3. Name the Shortcut by typing Gmail into the textbox and then click “Finish.”

4. Open the Shortcut to ensure that it’s working. You can either double-click the icon or right-click and select “Open.”

How to Set Your Default Email Account in Windows 10

After setting up Gmail as your default email program, you might also need to change your default email account or add a new one.

1. Click on the “Start” icon on the bottom of your screen and select “Settings”, its icon looks like a gear.
2. Then, click on “Accounts”.
3. Next, click on “Email & accounts.” and then Select “Add an account” by clicking on the plus icon.
4. Click “Gmail” as your new account option and enter your account info.

How to Set up Your Browser to Open Mailto Links in Gmail by Default

Setting up Gmail as the default program for your browser to use is easy.

Set Gmail as Default in Firefox

1. Open up your Firefox browser and click “Open Application Menu”.
   
2. Locate the “Settings” menu and select it.
   
3. In the General Settings tab, scroll down until you see “Applications” and locate the “mailto” app. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Use Gmail.”
   

Set Gmail as Default in Microsoft Edge

1. Open up Microsoft Edge and click on “Settings and more”, located at the top-right corner of the browser.
   
2. Click on “Settings” and select “Cookies and site permissions.” Next, click on “Protocol handlers.” You can also just type: edge://settings/content/handlers into the browser and hit “Enter”.
   
3. Make sure that the switch for “Allow sites to ask to become default handlers for protocols (recommended)” is on. You should have completed this in an earlier step.
   

Why You Might Want to Set Gmail as the Default in Windows 10

It seems no matter what other free webmail offer or how well they upgrade, everyone still prefers Gmail. So, what makes Gmail so great? And what are the some that do not?

Gmail offers a ton of great features right from the start, all of which come at no additional charge.

• Malware and virus scans
• 25 MB per email limit
• Sophisticated spam detection and filtering capabilities
• Access to additional Google apps

Given it’s compatibility, wide-use, and support, using Gmail might be right for you.

Your Default E-Mail Is Your Choice

Microsoft and Windows 10 might try to get you to use their e-mail app, but if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Setting up Gmail as your default e-mail is a simple and quick process. It takes a few clicks, and you’re there.

And there’s a reason you’d rather use it. It’s reliable, safe, and it has a lot of useful features and add-ons. Once you start using Gmail, you won’t be able to settle for anything less than that.

Do you use Gmail, Outlook, or another email client as your default solution? Let us know in the comments section below.