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May 9, 2007 11:30 AM PDT
Instructions for changing the default Web browser/Mail application in Mac OS X
[See this newer article for information on switching the default applications using RCDefault]
Apple has posted a Knowledge Base article (#25566) with revised instructions for setting the default Web browser and e-mail client in Mac OS X. As noted previously on MacFIxIt, these settings must be changed within Safari and Mail.app respectively.
To change the default e-mail client:
- Launch Mail.app (located in /Applications/ by default)
- From the Mail menu select Preferences
- Click on the General tab
- Select the desired client from the Default Email Reader menu
- Launch Safari (located in /Applications/ by default)
- From the Safari menu select Preferences
- Click on the General tab
- Select the desired client from the Default Web Browser menu
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixt.com.
Resources
http://www.rubicode.com/Software/RCDefaultApp/
comes to the rescue.Yeah, I have never understood the logic of placing the option of changing the default email and web browsing clients within Apple's own clients. Doesn't really make any sense. There should be a preference panel (like RCDefaultApp) for changing these options. It is totally confusing to users, much like using the Start menu to shut down your computer in that "other" OS.
RCDefaultApp is a great tip, and by far better than anything Apple has to offer. Thanks.
Then again, they may just be taking a cue from Adobe, since you need to launch Reader to disable the Reader plugin and allow Preview to open PDFs from within Safari again.
Yes, I find this "new" approach very Microsoft-like. Apple is assuming that their products are the ones everyone wants.
Earlier versions of MacOS X used to have the setting in a System Preferences pane. I could see implementing things "today's way" if this weren't the case. But why change it.
The Evil Empire must have infiltrated...
And, you know, this is exactly the kind of stuff that has gotten Microsoft into legal troubles. The implied bundling of apps, where the user doesn't know how to switch them.
No, these setting must not be changed in Safari or Mail. According to Apple's guidelines you're supposed to do it in the app that you want as the default app, and most apps have that setting.
Furthermore the KBase is from 2003.
It was originally from 2003, but it has been UPDATED by Apple as of May 08, 2007, probably due to the fact that Preferences is not accessible in OS X 10.3 and later.
- by macsterguy May 10, 2007 8:58 AM PDT
- I think in the bigger picture, this is for the iPhone...
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(10 Comments)Yahoo mail (Possibly owned by microsoft someday soon) Anyone?