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JoeToddFlag for United States of America

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mailto: how to use opera mail client on windows 8 as a mailto: target

I have a new windows 8 system on a machine that runs a php script to generate an email through the mailto: function.

I set Opera Mail up as my client and made it the default mail client.  I've tested it and it works.

When I execute the php script I'm given a choice of 3 destinations for the mailto:, none of them are Opera Mail.  

How do I direct this to Opera Mail?  Is there another client that would work better?

I'm sending the to:, subject:, from:, and body: segments.

Thanks

Joe Todd
Avatar of Dave Baldwin
Dave Baldwin
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'mailto:' doesn't require or even use PHP.  It uses your default email client thru your browser.  It would be put as the 'action' of a form like this:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>

<h3>Send e-mail to Submit Info Page:</h3>

<form action="mailto:you@yoursite.com" method="get" enctype="text/plain">
<input name="subject" type="hidden" value="Message Title">
Message:<br/>
<textarea name="body" cols="40">
Type your message here.
</textarea>
<input type="submit" value="Send">
</form>

</body>
</html> 

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Avatar of JoeTodd

ASKER

Perhaps my question was poorly worded.  

I realize that PHP isn't the issue.  My php actually uses javascript to invoke the mailto: function.  This works under all other versions of Windows with outlook express as the default email client.

The problem I'm having on Windows 8 is getting the mailto: to  reach my default email  client.  When I execute  the script I get a window with the following  statement and options:

-- How do you want to open this type of Link(mailto:)

- Google  Chrome
- Mail
- Look for an app in the store

What I need is for the mailto: function to be directed to my default client, which is  Opera Mail.  My  question is how to get the mailto: function routed properly.  The reference to issuing it from PHP was not intended to be distracting.

Google Chrome probably came up because it's  the default browser.
"Mail" probably came up because Microsoft likes it that way.
Lord knows why I would look for an app in the store when  I already have one I like, but the option is there anyway.

Thanks,
Joe Todd
Take the page I posted and run it and tell me what it says.  That's as basic as it gets.  I know that in Firefox, I can set the client that opens for 'mailto'.  For Internet Explorer it should be using the system assignment for 'mailto' protocol, at least it always has before.  Chrome also uses system settings for a lot of things.  Which browser are you using?
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Dave Baldwin
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ASKER

The code snippet you provided brings up Microsoft Mail.

After some more frustrating searching, it looks like my preferred email client, Opera Mail, can't be set as the default in Windows 8.  Depending on my default browser (I've tried FireFox, IE, Chrome, and Opera), and the email client I choose, the mailto: function seems to get directed either to MS Mail or the choice screen I mentioned above.  

Looks like my path will be to find another email client besides Microsoft Mail that I like.
Thanks for your help,
Joe
You're welcome, thanks for the points.  Problems like this are why websites rarely use the 'mailto' protocol in a web form.  They usually use a server-side script that can send email thru the web server.