Sm. Business & Technology

The Error:

Either there is no default mail client of the current mail client cannont fulfill the messaging request. Please run Microsoft Outlook and set it as the default mail client.

The Issue:
So far everything I have read on this relates directly to a 64Bit install of Microsoft Outlook. 32Bit versions appear to work without issues.

There are multiple registry hacks floating around however I have been unable to make them work for me. I also tried uninstalling Microsoft Outlook 64Bit and installing the 32Bit version. That lead me into other issues. See I have a stand alone version of Outlook provided to me by our hosted exchange service provider for free. We also have a stripped down version of Microsoft Office (without Outlook) that is installed and it is 64Bit as well. When I uninstalled the 64Bit Outlook and tried to install the 32Bit Outlook I got an error from Microsoft Office saying that I cannot install a 32Bit version of Outlook because Office 64Bit was on the system. I figured I would get this error but one can hope right?

As always there are multiple fingers pointed in all directions, some at Adobe for not supporting Outlook 64Bit, some at Microsoft for Outlook 64Bit not being compatible with Adobe. You may also find it interesting to know that the same issue appears when using the email link from within Picasa, Google’s photo editing software. This too seems to be the 64Bit vs 32Bit issue as well.

So what are my options to fix this problem? Uninstall Microsoft Office 64Bit, Outlook 64Bit and install the 32Bit versions instead. This leaves me scratching my head… I bought a 64Bit computer, bought and installed 64Bit software, but to make it work I have to use 32Bit software? Really? WTF?!

Here’s the bottom line for me. 64Bit has been around for a while now. Systems and software are being sold as “working” solutions, but they really aren’t in some cases. As we know some vendors lock us into the solutions that are not really acceptable solutions. Is it Microsoft’s fault? Adobe’s fault? Google’s fault? I don’t care! Just fix it! I paid good money for 64Bit solutions, now please make them work! I’m not going to finger point at who I “think” is causing the issue. Each manufacturer knows there are issues and each manufacturer should be working to resolve their side of the problem.

OK so now the technical side of it. 64Bit software is backwards compatible with 32Bit software, 32Bit software is not forward compatible with 64Bit software, it just isn’t possible. Microsoft, Adobe and Google all have wads of cash laying around. They also have some of the brightest people in the computing industry. These vendors should be working to produce WORKING 64bit solutions for their clients (you and me), actually it should have been here already.