I have a message coming up when I log into my email, it has just started, after I did some microsoft updates yesterday.

The message is:
Could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hope thsi helps.

I have investigated and found that this will come up if the target e-mail address is more than 470 characters. The target addresses I am clicking on are nowhere near 40 characters, no less 470 characters.

Part of the problem is/was caused by having Netscape Communicator installed, as it wanted to be the default mail client and it would not let the setting in IE govern which default mail client should be used. I uninstalled Netscape Communicator and then I started getting these messages every time I clicked on an e-mail address, in order to create/generate an e-mail.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

The problem is the length of the link!

If you cut it down to 25 Email addresses, you are OK (as long as each Email address is only 16 characters long)

I am also struggling with the same problem.
My email client is Outlook2000. Outlook is working fine sending and receiving.
It's when I click on an email link in Explorer that I get the error message.

So I'm waiting with you all for a nice person willing to explain us how we can fix this problem.

Silvia, I am facing exactly the same issue. I have checked everything. It occured just after the IT dpt reinstalled MS office on another drive than my system's one, that maybe a tip..
Please check if you IE and Outlook are installed on the same drive.
Thank you,

I found the workaround!!
From the IE (mine is 6.0): Tools\Internet Options, choose the program tab, then in the email field you should be able to choose between Outlook or Outlook express. Choose Outlook express. Then go to a web page with an email link, click to send a mail, it will open outlook express. Then return to IE and change back the default email program to Outlook and now, it works.
I hope it will work for you too ;-)
Thank you,

I work in tech support and saw the same empty window issue when IE6 would open a new window. Try downloading the latest service pack, and even if it says you've got the SP installed reinstall it. That should end the issue.

Hope that Helps.

Well done! million thanks to you. I have this problem for months and call many technical support people, but none of their remedies worked unless re-install IE. My company has more than 100 PCs and re-install IE is not feasible solution. Again thanks Pro.

"C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" /reg

Of course change the path if you installed OE elsewhere.

Second, Jana, it would seem that you do not have Outlook Express installed. I would recommend downloading the latest Internet Explorer/Outlook Express combination from the Microsoft website. You can go to http://www.microsoft.com/ie to download version 6. Personally, I would be somewhat suspicious of a virus, so you might look into that if you haven't already...

Michael, to get to the Internet Options screen, go to the Internet Control Panel (by clicking on Start, Settings, Control Panel, then double-clicking on 'Internet'). In there, select the 'Progams' tab at the top of the window, then look at the second item labeled 'Email'. Whatever program is shown there will be used by Windows as the default email client.

King, I am stumped. :-) I tried applying JayT's fix to Outlook with no success. Does 'Microsoft Outlook' show up in your list of choices as the default email client?

I work at a large company with many users that need to run this code, so my solution has to be rather global.