HT201607: Set the default email app and web browser on your Mac

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louisv16

Q: I cannot change my default mail application. The new selection is never saved.

I follow the instructions for changing my default email application verbatim so that I can use outlook yet my selection is never saved. Its as if the selection is not saved after I close the preference window. I have done this previously and it worked. I actually have another account on my MacBook that does have outlook as the default. I set that up before upgrading to El Capitan. Its the only thing I can think of.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Oct 29, 2015 2:40 PM

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Q: I cannot change my default mail application. The new selection is never saved.

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  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 29, 2015 5:59 PM in response to louisv16
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Oct 29, 2015 5:59 PM in response to louisv16

    Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices/com.apple.launchservices.secure.plist

    Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select  

              Services Show Info in Finder (or just Show Info)

    from the contextual menu.* An Info dialog should open.

    ☞ Does the dialog show "You can read and write" in the Sharing & Permissions section?

    ☞ In the General section, is the box labeled Locked checked?

    ☞ What is the Modified date?

    If you don't have read and write access to the item, change the settings as directed here. Note, however, that if one file has wrong access settings, most likely others do as well. If the item is locked, unlock it.

    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Open a TextEdit window and paste into it (command-V). Select the line you just pasted and continue as above.

  • by louisv16,Helpful

    louisv16 louisv16 Oct 29, 2015 5:59 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2015 5:59 PM in response to Linc Davis

    I have read and write access.

     

    Locked is not checked.

     

    The last update is Friday, October 2, 2015 at 1:31 PM

     

    Thank you so much for replying.

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 29, 2015 5:47 PM in response to louisv16
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Oct 29, 2015 5:47 PM in response to louisv16

    Although the problem is not the same, please follow the instructions in this support article to reset the Launch Services database. Instead of typing the shell command directed in the article, I suggest that you copy and paste it from the web page into the Terminal window. Make sure you select the whole line. One way to do that is by triple-clicking anywhere in the line.

    If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data before proceeding. You may have to log out or restart to see a change.

  • by louisv16,

    louisv16 louisv16 Oct 30, 2015 6:40 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 30, 2015 6:40 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you very much for your help.