Gmail (Webmail) As Your Default Email Client in Windows with Affixa

Learn how to make Gmail your default email client in Windows.  Are you a Windows user?  Do you prefer Gmail to Outlook Express, or Windows Mail?  If so, this article is for you!

I love my Gmail.  I love how it syncs with my Android phone.  I love how I can consolidate virtually every other email account I have into my Gmail account.  I love how I can go to any computer in any internet cafe and look up my email, contacts, and calendar from any browser.  In fact, I love it so much that I prefer working in the webmail interface over my Outlook!

Here was my gripe.  Why can’t I have my Windows computer default to my Gmail webmail client??  I know I can configure my Firefox to default the mailto: configuration to send web email clicks…but what if I want to use my “Send To” option in Windows to send a file or document directly to a mail recipient without having to go through the rigmarole of: opening up my browser, logging into my Gmail, composing a new email, click to attach a document, browse for the document, and then upload it?

I want it done directly from the file I want to send…

And as we all know…sometimes…it’s all about ME and what I want.

In comes Affixa for the rescue!  What is Affixa?  Affixa allows you to have either your Gmail or Yahoo webmail be your Windows default client.  With Affixa, you can right-click that file you want to send to someone via Gmail through the context menu.

It also adds a task tray icon upon installation that acts as a “bucket” for you to drag and drop multiple files in while you work.  When you are ready to send your files via email, you just click a button and the program will take you all the way to your compose email webpage with your attachment(s) already there.

And yes…once again the best part is…it is FREE!  They do ask for a donation subscription of an extremely reasonable amount of about $3 a year.  That subscription gives you more options such as: Option to zip attachments, Multiple accounts, Image attachment resizing, and few other bells and whistles.  I personally don’t need all those options…but for $3 a year, I may actually do it just because it’s just three bucks.

Here’s some info right from the Affixa web site:

What is Affixa?

All the features available in Windows that were once only available to your desktop mail-using friends are now available to everyone!

• Affixa makes your webmail account part of Windows;
• Affixa makes gathering and preparing the files you want to send easy;

So let’s begin with the step-by-step to make this happen!

1. Download Affixa here.  Run the executable and install the application.

2. After the application, you will be prompted to choose to add a tray icon so that you can utilize the bucket option.  Check it if you want that option.  If not, you can leave it off.

3. There is also an option for the program to make sure that Affixa remains the default email program.  I would leave that checked as well.

4. A setup window should open which will allow you to add an account.  Click the Add button to add your Gmail account.

5. Click on the Account tab on the subsequent window.

6. Fill in your account information and click the Test button to test your settings.

7. If you use Google Apps, you can use that account as well, just change the “gmail.com” to “Google Apps Domain” in that drop menu.

8. Click on the Preferences tab next to configure Affixa’s behaviour.

9. Here are the ones I check:

• Launch Gmail after creating a draft message
• Use HTTPS for added security
• Use Rich Formatting
• Suppress the default email content provided by Window when sending files

That last one is because Windows likes to add its blurb about the file you are attaching when it is attached via the context menu.  Yes…annoying.

10. There are other options you can explore in the main setup window that can also add to the cool factor of this nifty application.

So let’s test it via the Windows context menu:

1. Locate a file you wish attach in an email.

2. Right-click the file to show the context menu.

3. Move the mouse over the Send To option to produce the sub-menu.

4. Select the Mail Recipient option.

At this point, watch Affixa do its magic by automatically uploading, attaching, and taking your compose email interface on the web.  The only thing you need to do is wait for the webpage to open and write the email.

To use the “bucket” function of Affixa, just double click the green circle icon on the system tray to open up a small window where you can drag n’ drop the files you wish to attach to your email.

And that’s it!  Gmail is now your default Windows email “application”.  You can see more details about Affixa at their website: www.affixa.com

Written by: Wei H

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Affixa gives you the choice of which web or desktop mail system you use and when.

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If you enjoy learning about new trending tech topics, gadgets, toys, and other digital creative fun stuff, you won’t want to miss out on our monthly Stress-Free Digital Lifestyle Newsletter!

We cover Tech Tips & Tricks, Creative Software, Important Security Updates, and the tech news stories you want to know about.

It’s FUN, it’s FREE, and it takes less than 10 seconds to sign up. Now that’s fast!

Tagged as: Email, Gmail, Google