You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: johnjliu
johnjliu Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

How to select Outlook desktop program as default email client

I have searched this online but every article I've seen ignores the fact that when I open the Apple Mail app, a window pops up asking me to "Choose a mail account provider ... " and the "Preferences" menu option is grayed out. (I suppose I can go ahead and set up something temporarily, but this seems like it should be unnecessary.)


If I close the pop-up window, the Apple Mail application closes entirely. I also tried right-clicking on an email address and looking for an info option, but I am not presented with that either. (I made the switch from Windows to Apple, but I'm still having some adjustment pain.)


Thanks for any tips anyone can provide!


OS: macOS Monterey Version 12.4

Email client: Microsoft Outlook for Mac Ver. 16.58

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on Jun 17, 2022 8:12 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: johnjliu
johnjliu Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Posted on Jun 17, 2022 11:51 AM

I was unaware that you can start an application in safe mode without your computer being in safe mode, if that's what you are saying. At any rate, I did not attempt this, but I found a workaround by going through the motions of creating an iCloud email address and then - upon learning that my name was already taken, of course - canceling the process. Afterwards, you are presented with a blank window and the "Preferences" menu option no longer is grayed out, allowing me to set the default email reader. It is working now on my MacBook M1 Pro. (I will repeat this process on my MacBook Air later.)


Thank you all for your suggestions! As much as Apple prides itself on the user experience, I do find situations like this where things don't feel as smooth or intuitive as I would expect. The world is not a perfect place, though. I still love both my Macs. Thanks again!

View in context

Similar questions

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: johnjliu
johnjliu Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Jun 17, 2022 11:51 AM in response to PRP_53

I was unaware that you can start an application in safe mode without your computer being in safe mode, if that's what you are saying. At any rate, I did not attempt this, but I found a workaround by going through the motions of creating an iCloud email address and then - upon learning that my name was already taken, of course - canceling the process. Afterwards, you are presented with a blank window and the "Preferences" menu option no longer is grayed out, allowing me to set the default email reader. It is working now on my MacBook M1 Pro. (I will repeat this process on my MacBook Air later.)


Thank you all for your suggestions! As much as Apple prides itself on the user experience, I do find situations like this where things don't feel as smooth or intuitive as I would expect. The world is not a perfect place, though. I still love both my Macs. Thanks again!

Reply
User profile for user: leroydouglas
leroydouglas
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
189,138 points

Jun 17, 2022 9:20 AM in response to johnjliu

johnjliu wrote:

That window you kindly pasted the image of ... that's from "Preferences". Correct?

If so, as I mentioned, my "Preferences" menu option is grayed out. Is there another way to get to this?

If not, how do I get to this menu? THANK YOU!

Edit: I just added a screenshot of what I see.


https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/7e277d36-eadf-4427-96e6-6b6cce0ce495



? Your Mail Preferences is grayed out?




Quit Mail, and relaunch it holding down the Shift key and test


See if there is anything here—


Change the default web browser or email app on your Mac


https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/76346-set-default-account-macos-mail/


https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-an-account-as-the-default-in-outlook-for-mac-1a085d36-db97-4230-9a40-c332364426e0



If you don’t already have an account setup in Mail, you will need to add one in order to access Preferences.

If you have an iCloud account, you could opt to enable iCloud mail quickly just to access the Mail

Preferences window to select Outlook. Then you could remove the iCloud account from the Mail app.


Open your desktop outlook application and go to mail then preferences


Reply

How to select Outlook desktop program as default email client

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up