I can’t send a Web page through Windows Live Mail!
Q: I can’t send a web page through Windows Live Mail.
On Internet Explorer 8′s Page menu, the “Send Page by E-mail” and “Send Link by E-mail” options are both “grayed out,” and I can’t choose them. Help!
A: Windows 7 lacks an e-mail program, an inconvenience Microsoft tries to remedy by letting people download the free “Windows Live Mail” e-mail program.
But once installed, Windows Live Mail doesn’t always tell Internet Explorer that it’s now in charge of your e-mail, leading to the “grayed out” options shown in the image above.
The fix? You must whisper in Internet Explorer’s ear about your new e-mail program by following these steps:
- Click the Start button and choose Default Programs.
- Choose the bottom option, “Set Program Access and Computer Defaults.”
- Click the word Custom.
- In the section called “Choose a default web browser,” choose Internet Explorer.
- In the section called “Choose a default e-mail program,” choose Windows Live Mail.
- Click OK to save your changes.
Windows 7 tells Internet Explorer to start using Windows Live Mail, and the options on Internet Explorer’s Page menu begin working again.
Not using Windows Live Mail or any other e-mail program? If you log onto a Web site to read your e-mail, Internet Explorer’s disabled links have a different problem.
Posted: January 25th, 2010 under Free software, Internet, Windows 7.
Tags: grayed out, greyed out, Internet Explorer 8, Send Link by E-mail, Send Page by E-mail, windows live mail
Comments
Comment from drfair
Time February 24, 2010 at 7:19 am
This doesn’t seem to work in Vista to solve this problem. Any ideas?
Comment from Ray Barrington
Time March 23, 2010 at 8:42 am
Thanks Andy, sutch a simple answer to a very annoying problem, why couldn`t I find the answer in the Live Mail help facility??
Comment from Simon
Time March 24, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Thanks Andy!
Comment from Al Cavalieri
Time March 30, 2010 at 6:34 am
What would we do without clear and straightforward answers like yours?
Sincere thanks!
ALC
Comment from V
Time April 25, 2010 at 10:06 am
Thank you! Windows 7 should send us to you instead of their unhelpful Help option.
Comment from Jeff
Time September 5, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Very good explanation and instructions, very helpful. Thank you!
Comment from Stella
Time September 30, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Thanks!!! Fixed my problem 
Comment from Barbara
Time October 14, 2010 at 8:13 am
You are wonderful! Easy instruction – easily done. Thank you.
Comment from Mike
Time November 11, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Thank you this solved my problem instantly, with very easy to follow instructions
Comment from Elizabeth
Time November 24, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I have been trying for two days to find a website/help link regarding my not being able to send a web page to my email.
I fortunately came across your website and your instructions on resolving my issue did the job.
Your instructions were explained simply and with step by step instructions – which as a beginner was a great help.
I thank you tremendously !!!
Comment from Chris Mutch
Time November 27, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Brilliant, have spent an hour trying to remedy the problem and you solved it in 3 clicks I’m impressed … Thank You
Comment from Flemming Dane
Time December 13, 2010 at 12:04 pm
GREAT! You deserve the Nobel Price!!! I have been working with that problem for weeks. Regards and thanks from Denmark!
Comment from jeff
Time December 13, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Great info and it was very easy to follow.
Comment from Barb
Time January 2, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Worked for Internet Explorer 8–thank you so much. I would of never figured it out on my own.
Comment from Diane MacKay
Time April 25, 2011 at 5:41 am
U R Awesome…I have literally been searching for this tid bit of info…just sent your link to my sister who has had this problem for almost a year. Thanks for your help
Comment from Dick Finn
Time April 30, 2011 at 9:25 am
Thanks for showing me how to send a page by email with live mail.You made it easy to fix..Can I send you something for you thoughtfullness?? A case of beer or something??
thanks Andy..
Dick Finn.
What city are you in?
Comment from Andy Rathbone
Time May 14, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Glad to help. Instead of sending a case of beer, just tell your friends about my books. Thanks!
Comment from Bob Orr
Time May 31, 2011 at 8:38 am
Easy solution to an annoying problem. Thanks for your clarity.
Comment from Leonie
Time June 11, 2011 at 12:46 am
Andy, How can I thank you enough for a simple soultion to what really was a simple problem…not according to the other sites I visited before I lobbed here. Tks again Keep up the good work.. Answers do not alwaya have to sooo ver involved 
Comment from Dan
Time August 13, 2011 at 7:14 am
Thanks.
Comment from David Brefka
Time September 8, 2011 at 9:11 am
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Comment from Joanne McDowell
Time October 14, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Andy, followed all instructions, when I got down to last one. choose “windows live mail”. it was not listed. ?? any ideas? thanks/
Comment from rob
Time October 28, 2011 at 5:22 pm
worked like a charm! many thanks…
Comment from neil b.
Time November 4, 2011 at 5:48 am
Thank you. Wish I had pinged you a long time ago – nb
Comment from Pat
Time November 14, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Thanks for your help. I was using set program defaults instead of set program access and computer defaults. There is a difference
Comment from Vito
Time November 25, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Thank you very much, you saved me from getting grey hairs on my head.
Comment from Artie
Time December 12, 2011 at 11:24 am
Thanks. I thought it was windows Live problem and was going to dump it. Guess I would have the same problem with other clients as well. I’ll check out your books as a thankyou.
Comment from steven
Time December 13, 2011 at 7:33 am
I did what you suggested and it still doesn’t send links or emails. It seems to have worked before and it seems to work intermittently. But I can’t get it to work now. Please help – what other suggestions are there? Thank you.
Comment from Vicky
Time December 26, 2011 at 2:26 pm
It worked. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!
Comment from Jennifer
Time January 8, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Thank you so, so, so much. I use this a lot.
Comment from Janey Murray
Time February 11, 2010 at 11:41 am
As usual, your information is excellent and written in a manner that is easy to understand. What would we do without you?