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.
You'll need to use the path to your Outlook - for the 64-bit version of Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365, Outlook.exe is at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\outlook.exe
In 32-bit Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365, Outlook.exe is at C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\outlook.exe
using Click-to-run (most people will have click to run).
In Outlook 2007, the path is "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE"
; in Outlook 2010, "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\OUTLOOK.EXE"
- Open the registry editor and select root key HKEY_CLASS_ROOT
- Add a new Key named âoutlookâ
- Edit the (Default) string value and add URL:Outlook Folders
- Add the new string value âURL Protocolâ, no string value is required
- Add subkeys \shell\open\command
- Select the Default Icon key and enter:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\outlook.exe
Note: If you are using a 64-bit Windows operating system with 32-bit Outlook, then instead of âProgram Filesâ use âProgram Files (x86)â. 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\root\Office16\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 2016/2019/365 ⢠Outlook 2013
Outlook 2010 ⢠Outlook 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 Registering an Application to a URI Scheme
I can't thank enough for this solution!
I have ca. 1,500 PST subfolders in Outlook (2007). To access them easily I created an Excel (2007) sheet with all folder paths exported, search box and a macro added to call the hyperlink protocol for the selected path.
It worked like charm for months and my life was happy. However, after the recent W10 patch (KB5015807) Outlook started refusing the hyperlink calls saying 'Cannot display the selected folder or item'. It also says it may be due to spaces allegedly included in the path names and I should replace them with %20, which the system by the way automatically did.
After rolling back the update already twice, the protocol works again.
Can anyone give me a clue why it is happening?
On my system (Windows 10) I have an extra subdirectory and I had to adjust the paths to
How do i launch outlook with existing eml file using url scheme.
From html anchor tag..?
it opens from commandline
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\OUTLOOK.EXE" /eml "C:User\Desktop\20200708091507_7297827F823C258E179F59FD347.eml"
I want it in <a href ="outlook ://> format
The outlook protocol is used for items in the mailbox, bot saved to the hard drive. Files on the hard drive use the computer's file association.
Try webcal://
That will only work for calendars items.
It launches the client outlook not just the calender, i am using this feature which is working so far good.
This launches the Outlook client, I used this protocol and it worked..
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. :(
Hi, I had the same issue, i dont have admin rights in my machine. However, if you can run regedit, you should have access to modify the [HKEY_CURRENT_USER] tree.
I replaced all the [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT] with [HKEY_CURRENT_USER] as follows:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\outlook]
@="URL:Outlook Folders"
"URL Protocol"=""
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\outlook\DefaultIcon]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\OUTLOOK.EXE\""
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\outlook\shell]
@="open"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\outlook\shell\open]
@=""
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\outlook\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\OUTLOOK.EXE\" /select \"%1\""
and IT WORKED!! I run W10 64bits + Outlook 365 64 bits
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.