As many users have discovered, the Outlook:// protocol no longer works outside of Outlook 2007 (and up). This protocol allows users to create shortcuts to Outlook items and open the items outside of Outlook. You can use this protocol on a folder home page, on the Web toolbar, or in the body of an Outlook item but not in a web page that does not open in a folder homepage.
See Using Outlook Links to learn how to use the Outlook:// protocol
This is because the Office installer no longer registers Outlook to a URL protocol. This is due to Microsoft not officially supporting the Outlook URL protocol as explained in KB 929590 Fortunately, Outlook still supports it, but to use it, you will need to add it as a URL protocol in the Windows Registry.
The Fix
Note: It is recommended that your make a backup copy of your registry before editing the registry.
The steps for Outlook 2010, 2013, and 2016 are the same, except you will the correct path to Outlook.exe. In Outlook 2016, it's C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\outlook.exe, if using Click-to-run (most people will have click to run).
- Open the registry editor and select root key HKEY_CLASS_ROOT
- Add a new Key named “outlook”
- Edit the (Default) string value and add URL:Outlook Folders
- Add the new string value “URL Protocol”, no string value is required
- Add subkeys \shell\open\command
- Select the Default Icon key and enter:
- C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE
Note: If you are using a 64-bit Windows operating system with 32-bit Outlook, then instead of “Program Files” use “Program Files (x86)”. Don't forget to use the correct version of Office! - Select the command key value under shell\open, edit the (Default) string value and add the following string: (Note this assumes you installed Office in the default location/) You need to include the double quotes in the string.
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE" /select "%1"
You can test it by clicking here. If Outlook opens to your Inbox, the keys were created correctly.
Do It For Me
To use, download the correct file for your system then double click to add the key to your registry.
If you are using 32-bit Outlook on 64-bit Windows:
Outlook 2016/2019/365 (32-bit/Wx64)Outlook 2013 (32-bit/Wx64)
Outlook 2010 (32-bit/Wx64)Outlook 2007 (32-bit/Wx64)
If you are using the same "bitness" of Windows and Outlook (both are 32-bit or both are 64-bit):
Outlook 2016/2019/365Outlook 2013
Outlook 2010Outlook 2007
Note: Outlook does not automatically recognize the Outlook protocol when you type a url containing it into the body of any item. However, the protocol works if you set it as a hyperlink.
More Information
Known issues when you develop custom solutions for Office Outlook 2007
For general information on registering an application to a URL protocol, see https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa767914(VS.85).aspx
Instruction in this article are not enough for Outlook 2016. I got it to work by also adding an empty string value named "URL Protocol" in key "Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Outlook"
Hi! Thank you, this worked perfectly for me in Win7 & Outlook13. Moving to Win10 & Outlook16 now, the Windows Shell asks for admin rights. This is not the case with every .vbs, but with this one. Any idea maybe?
which vbs are you use?
Hi, any alternative if we are not allowed do modify the registry?
Thanks
Unfortunately not. Sorry for missing this earlier. :(
Once again thank you Diane. Your help has enabled me to complete my vision for the way I use OneNote !
Do you know of any "security" concerns on why I wouldn't want to change the registry? I have several paralegals who need this functionality but other folks here are worried that changing the registry in Windows 10 to make this work will affect security. Thoughts?
No, not to my recollection, but at this point, it's security by obscurity as only a small % of users would have the key set. :) It was removed as part of the deprecated feature that allowed you to use outlook as a file explorer.
Hi, is there any way to do it for Outlook for Mac?
No, not to my knowledge. sorry.
I tried the "Outlook 2016 (32-bit/Wx64)" its in the registry
Now I added in an index.html a line
<a > Outlook
clicking on it does nothing.
How do I use the Outlook:// protocol in html?
how did you format the link? https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/using-outlook-links/ has examples. This would open the sent folder in a users exchange mailbox: Outlook://Mailbox - Mary Conrad/Sent Items
For may own mailbox it is working fine with: Conversation historyOfer or any other folder
For the added mailbox I have access to (test22@Novuslaw.com)
I tried most combinations and I get "Cannot display the selected folder or item"
//Mailbox - test 22inbox'
//Mailbox - test22@Novuslaw.cominbox
Any suggestions?
thanks
Did the mailbox sync? If not, do you have full access permissions?
Assuming the mailbox actually synced - did you try resetting the view on the folder?
I was having trouble with the 2016 reg file also. It turns out the path to outlook on my machine did not have the root folder. The corrected path is this:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\Outlook.exe"
When I made that change in the registry it worked. I also added "/recycle" before "/select" as suggested by okDude so that it would reuse the current Outlook window when opening folders. Works great...thank you okDude!
And thanks so much Diane for this tip. I used it in Outlook 2013 also. I find it really handy for referencing my Evernote notes back to emails.
Yeah, if you have 3 bit outlook, you need 32bit key.
This works great, even with Outlook 2016 64 bits!
But using it from another office program, I still have to deal with security check. How do you add the " Outlook://*" protocol to trusted websites ? It doesn't pass the coherence test, I think we should add it directly to the registry but don't know how.
Try this - https://www.slipstick.com/how-to-outlook/disable-unsafe-hyperlink-warning-opening-attachments/