I'm running Windows XP SP2. I use MS Outlook 2003 as my email application. I use IE7 with IE7pro installed.

I rarely use a mailto: link on a website, but when I have, it would automatically take me to Outlook's "new mail message" with the To: already filled in from the Web page. However today when I clicked on a mailto: link, it took me to Google's gmail sign-in page, where I didn't want to be. Doing some experimenting, I found that this is where it takes me when I click on a mailto: link if I'm not signed in to Google. If I'm already signed in, it tries to load a new tab, that says "loading", but it just sits there and nothing ever gets displayed. Using the cursor to hover over the tab, it says loading "mail.google.com/mail". But whether it would load or not, I do not want Gmail as my default web mail, I would prefer Outlook.

Ive gone into IE, tools, Internet options, programs, and confirmed Microsoft Outlook is the email default.
I went into file types in windows explorer's folder options, and Microsoft is listed under "URL:mailto protocol". And I verified that the path associated with it is the legitimate path to where "outlook.exe" is located on my PC.
Also, I've gone to mailto: links on different websites to be sure it wasn't a problem with one particular web page, but the results were always the same. I've never downloaded Gmail notifier and there's nothing in Task Manger that alerts me to anything untoward.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about why this is happening, and what I could do to correct it. Thanks in advance.


Mod Edit: Topic moved to more appropriate forum~ TMacK

it looks like you're using google toolbar. if so, go to the google toolbar Options, open More tab and check if Send with Gmail option is unchecked.

Dozzer, I've been having problems posting a reply, I hope this doesn't post more than once. Anyway, that worked, Google toolbar was the culprit. I really appreciate you finding the solution. It was driving me crazy. Thanks a lot!!!

i'm glad you've solved the problem

PS don't forget to backup your Outlook
http://www.outlookbackup.com