use default mail client instead of opera's one

use default mail client instead of opera's one

Hi,

I use opera, but only for www. I don't use opera mail client. Problem is when I want to start my mail client using button on the multimedia keyboard. If I don't have Opera opened button works fine - starts my mail client. Even when opera is opened but is not active window button also starts my mail client. But when Opera is active application pressing that mail button from keyboard always starts opera's built-in mail client instead of user's default one.
I've disabled opera mail client in opera:config and now it is not starting, but now pressing mail button at the keyboard when opera is active application/window is not working - no reaction. I have to click on taskbar o switch to another application to inactivate opera to make that key working.

Can you tell me how to prevent opera from stealing my mail button?

Btw, it is standard mail button like at many multimedia keyboards. I can't bind any application to that button because it is controlled by windows (no special drivers or software for that kb). That button always opens default mail client I set in windows.

Best regards.

Here's what I'd do:

* Download the Opera installer and launch it (as an admin).

* Click "options" and make sure the install location is set to your existing Opera and so that you see "accept upgrade".

* Check "make Opera default" and set "install for" to "all users"

* Install.

That should repair any registry keys for Opera.

Then, you can goto "ctrl + F12 -> advanced -> programs -> details" and uncheck "mailto" and newsgroups etc. in Opera.

Then, in your mail client, if it has an option to make itself the default activate it. Further, go into "default programs" in your OS and confirm that your mail client is handing "mailto" and "nntp" etc. If you have to, reinstall your mail client over the top of itself like suggested for Opera above. (For WinXP, you might want to go into "internet options" and set your default mail client there too. And, you might want to go into the start menu properties and set your mail client as the default in the start menu.)

Then, in Opera, goto "ctrl + F12 -> advanced -> programs -> mailto -> edit" and make sure it's set to "open with default application".

Then, restart your computer.

If that still doesn't work, you may have to check the "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mailto\shell\open\command", "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\mailto\shell\open\command" and "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto\shell\open\command" keys in the registry to make sure they point to your mail client. On Win7 at least, the last one might be a special windows url handler command that you should probably leave alone. But, you might be able to set it to your mail client if you want. Just export the keys first so you have backups.

For those keys, they might have a "ddeexec" subkey with application and topic subkeys where you might want to make sure they're correct for your mail client (by doing research, asking around etc.). For Opera (at least on Win7 now), I think the "(Default)" strings in each are supposed to be blank.

Also, you might want make sure your the "(Default)" string in "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail" is set to the subkey that matches your mail client. Same with "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet". For the key for your mail client, make sure it has the right path to your mail client. Check "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\Mail" and "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\StartmenuInternet" too.

If all else fails, then it's probably just a bug in Opera and you should file a bug report. This sounds kind of familiar, so it might be known though. Although, it could be a bug in windows with how it launches the default mail program and Opera just exposes the problem.

(Since you didn't specify, assuming Win7 x64 + Opera 11.61 Final + Thunderbird 11)