Better instructions to change email client?

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Level 1

57 points

Better instructions to change email client?

The instructions from Apple support say to change your default email client by starting up Mail.app and choosing preferences.

However, when I try to do this, Mail.app asks me if I want to import all of my messages or not. The modal dialog box says "Continue" to import (might take a while) or "Cancel" to skip. Unfortunately, instead of just skipping, "Cancel" causes Mail.app to quit.

So these directions don't seem to work.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Sep 10, 2013 8:56 PM

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Answer 1

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Sep 11, 2013 3:04 AM in response to rpg25

First you need to have another email client installed and then soomeplace in the Mac Mail settings, Preferences, there is an area for setting the Default Mail program. You would select the other email client/program you have already installed.

Sorry I don't recall exactly where that setting is as I haven't used Mac Mail in many years and even when I did I switched to a good mail client in a very short time.

Not sure why you are getting a prompt to import mail and setting.

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Answer 2

rpg25 Author

Level 1

57 points

Sep 11, 2013 6:02 AM in response to LowLuster

Thanks for the response, but it really doesn't solve my problem. My problem arises because the need to import all of my email messages into a mail program (Mail.app) that I do not use, is an unacceptable thing to do in order to set the default email client. I have years of emails that would be pointlessly slurped into Mail.app. The instructions you give are the same as the ones in the Apple support page for which I seek an alternative.

Is there a more primitive alternative (such as editing a plist file)?

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Answer 3

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Sep 11, 2013 10:37 AM in response to rpg25

Yes sorry. The Mail.app doesn't allow you to open it to make any changes to the settings unless you first setup an account or I guess in your case it wants to import all your mail from your other mail client.

It give you no options of canceling the setting up anything so you can just get to the settings.

For me just another reason I find Mail.app a PITB. I did setup one email account on it so I could make changes to it's settings.

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