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Troubleshooting

Fixing Broken URL Handlers in Outlook

When clicking links in Outlook opens nothing (or the wrong browser), the registry URL handler is usually the culprit.

OutlookTroubleshootingWindows

A common helpdesk ticket: users install a second browser (Chrome, Firefox), then later remove it or change defaults, and suddenly clicking links in Outlook does nothing.

The cause: The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\shell\open\command and https\shell\open\command registry keys get pointed at a browser that no longer exists, or the default handler gets corrupted.

The fix (modern approach):

  1. Open Settings → Apps → Default Apps
  2. Set your preferred browser as the default for HTTP and HTTPS protocols
  3. Also set defaults for .htm and .html file types

If that doesn't work (registry fix):

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'Registry::HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\http\shell\open\command' -Name '(Default)' -Value '"C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" "%1"'

Enterprise deployment: Use Group Policy or Intune to set default browser associations via an XML associations file (DefaultAssociations.xml). This prevents users from accidentally breaking their URL handlers.

Fixing Broken URL Handlers in Outlook — Harry Caskey