Right Click & Send to Mail Recipient Not Working? Here’s the Ultimate Fix!

by

You’ve just right-clicked on a file, hovered over Send to, and selected Mail Recipient. But wait… nothing happens?! Or maybe you get an annoying error message. Frustrating, right?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. This little feature, as simple as it seems, can break for all sorts of weird reasons. Luckily, we’ve got the ultimate fix guide for you, and we’re keeping it fun and easy!

🎯 What’s Supposed to Happen?

When it’s working right, this handy shortcut should open your default email app, create a new message, and attach the file you selected. Boom. Done. But when it doesn’t work, it’s like your PC just forgot what an email is.

😩 Why Does It Break?

There are a few common culprits:

  • Your default mail app isn’t set correctly
  • The MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) is messed up
  • You’re using a web-based email like Gmail or Yahoo
  • Your Windows settings are out of whack

But enough tech talk. Let’s get down to the fixes!

🛠️ Fix #1: Make Sure You Have a Default Email App

If your PC doesn’t know what app to use, it can’t send anything.

  1. Click Start and go to Settings
  2. Select Apps > Default Apps
  3. Scroll down to Email and choose a desktop program like Outlook or Mail

If you only use webmail like Gmail, this option might not work unless it’s hooked into a desktop app.

🔧 Fix #2: Repair or Reinstall Your Mail App

Sometimes your desktop email program is the problem. Here’s how to repair it:

  1. Go to Control Panel
  2. Click Programs and Features
  3. Find your mail app (like Microsoft Outlook), right-click it and select Repair

If repair isn’t available, try reinstalling it completely.

⚒️ Fix #3: Reset Your MAPI Settings

Time for a little behind-the-scenes magic! MAPI helps Windows talk to mail programs.

Sometimes it gets confused. You can reset it:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Type: fixmapi and hit Enter

Restart your PC, and try the Send to Mail Recipient feature again. That teeny little command can work wonders!

📧 Fix #4: Use a Webmail Workaround

If you’re more of a Gmail person, then this built-in Windows shortcut won’t play nice. Here’s what you can do:

  • Use services like Gmail in your browser
  • Upload files directly from your PC
  • OR install third-party apps like MailTo: that let Gmail act like a desktop mail client

That way, your PC will “think” Gmail is a default app.

🧐 Fix #5: Bring Back the Mail Recipient Option (if Missing)

Can’t find Mail Recipient under the Send to menu at all? It may have been deleted!

You can restore it:

  1. Press Windows + R, type shell:sendto, hit Enter
  2. In the folder that opens, right-click an empty area & choose New > Text Document
  3. Rename the file to Mail Recipient.MAPIMail

That’s it! It’s like reviving a ghost.

☑️ Final Tips

Still stuck? Here are a few pro tips:

  • Make sure your Windows updates are current
  • Run a system file check – open Command Prompt and type: sfc /scannow
  • Try creating a new user profile to test if it works there

🎉 You Did It!

Everyone loves a shortcut—especially one that helps you send files in seconds. So when the Send to Mail Recipient option misbehaves, now you know just what to do.

Remember: Your PC’s not broken, it just needed a little nap and maybe a juice box. Happy emailing! 📬