Make Outlook the default program for email, contacts, and calendar

If you’re like most people, you have more than one email program on your computer. You can simplify your life by making Outlook a one-stop center for sending and receiving email, storing your contacts, and scheduling appointments. You can start by adding an email account to Outlook. 

1. In Windows, select   Start and in the Search box, enter Default apps. 

2. Select Default apps from the suggestions. 

3. In the Windows Settings app, on the Default apps page, do one of the following:

   • In Windows 10:

     1. Go to Email.

     2. Select the current app listed.

     3. Under Choose an app, select Outlook.

   • In Windows 11:

     1. Go to Set defaults for applications.

     2. Scroll to find Outlook, then select it.

     3. Set the default mail app for file type (.eml, .hol, etc.) and link type:

        1. Select an item.

        2. Select Outlook.

        3. Select Set default to confirm.