Java Programmer

Easily set your Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo! Mail as Windows' default email client

Mailto:// links are still pretty common on the Web, and they can be somewhat bothersome if you use a Web-based email app like Gmail or Hotmail. Wouldn't it be great if you could tell Windows to open your webmail's compose page instead of trying to load a desktop program like Outlook Express or Windows Mail?

There are actually several ways to get Windows to do this, but not many are as simple as GmailDefaultMaker. It's a free program that allows you to choose whether you want mailto:// links to open with Gmail, Hotmail, AOL Mail, or Yahoo! Mail during the installation process.

Once the install has completed, you'll never notice GmailDefaultMaker at work -- there's no taskbar or system tray icon. It's still doing its job, however, but like a lot of handy little programs it just works and stays out of the way.

No, this won't let you email files from your desktop with a right-click. Affixa may be the answer if you're looking for a more full-featured solution.