"Chrome allows web services to ask if you'd like to use them to open certain links. While most links generally take you to another page, some links can open programs and perform other actions. For example, mailto: links can open your email program and webcal: links can add events to your calendar program. These links are referred to as protocols and the programs they use are called handlers. Many web services these days, including Gmail and Google Calendar, can act as handlers," explains Google.
To edit protocol handlers in Chrome, open the settings page, go "under the hood", click "Content settings" and then "manage handlers". Another option is to open a new tab and paste this in the address bar: chrome://settings/handlers. By default, you'll see an almost empty page with no active handler. You can add protocol handlers from the sites that support this feature: Gmail, Google Calendar (and other services in the future).
Chrome is a little late to the party: Mozilla added support for protocol handlers in Firefox 3, back in 2008 and you can set Gmail as default handler for mailto: from the options dialog.
{ Thanks, Kevin. }
How do you get this to default to your google apps account?
ReplyDeleteit should work - and will definitely work with transitioned accounts
DeleteThis is just AWESOME. Thank you Google!
ReplyDeleteI see the option on my Macbook Pro, but there is no way to add a handler.
ReplyDeleteGo to Gmail first it will request if you want to use gmail first. Make sure you have the latest update of Chrome.
DeleteIf you ever say no though you have to go Under the Hood -> Content Settings ->Manage Handlers -> add gmail
Thank you Gwired for sharing this information. I found it.
DeleteThanks. Chrome just hadn't updated yet. All good now. I was using a plug-in for Gmail before. This makes things a bit cleaner.
DeleteNot sure how but I have been using gmail as my mail handler for years.
ReplyDeleteI did not allow the initial prompt from gmail to allow the handler, then I accidentally deleted it from the manage handler box in chrome settings. How can i get it back?
ReplyDeleteYes this is good no excuse to have any other Email client
ReplyDeleteGood work !Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to post this! One more suggestion for those who use Mac Mail (or perhaps any other email (web or client), after "Resetting the Handler" in Google Chrome, I had to back into my email application and set it as the default email reader again (mac mail in my case.)
ReplyDeleteThanks again!!
I want my OSX Mail.app client back instead of web gmail but I cannot activate it anymore... :( how can I do? Thanks
Delete- Unset the handler in Chrome.
Delete- Go into Mail.app preferences and re-set the mailto handler in there to Mail
I started using gmail as a temporary thing but I've stuck with it cos I like it!
ReplyDeleteWow, it is really fantastic. I have used it. It is looking so cute. Love your blog.Best wishes for you future blogging career. Thanks
ReplyDeleteIt’s a Good blog and congrats on having good Information, Keep it up! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
ReplyDeleteIs there a group policy setting for this yet?
ReplyDeleteYes can you set this for all users yet?
DeleteSo nicxe post!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI recently came across your site and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. Great post, concise and easy to understand. I like this post.
I found out that this site is very interesting and informative.
Best of luck to you!
Cheers,
Top up Prepaid
This works just fine, but can I tweak it so the Gmail compuse screen opens in a new tag rather than a new window?
ReplyDeleteIt really works man.
ReplyDeleteI hate it, cause it makes Google Chrome the default handler along with Gmail. I don't want a system-wise change, I want the email links to be handled by gmail within Google Chrome only.
ReplyDeleteThanks I really need it. Windows was always opening hotmail but now problem solved
ReplyDeletedoesn;t work with chrome 19
ReplyDelete