How to Open Email (mailto) Links in Gmail (Updated 6/27/13)

In Chrome, you can activate a protocol handler for your Gmail so when you click on a hyperlinked email address, a Gmail compose window automatically opens with the email address already populated. You can also enable a handler so when you click on events, they are opened in your Calendar. Making your Gmail and Calendar your handlers will make for just one click when sending an email or adding an event to your Calendar.

To watch the updated video and read the full article on the BetterCloud Monitor, visit:

[BruceComer]

Thanks for this video! Another side note for this is, if you are using Windows 8 you must set Google chrome as the default mail handler in windows before these procedures will work. 

Set Google Chrome as the handler for mailto links.
In control panel, go to "Default Programs"
Then click "Google Chrome"
Then click "Choose defaults for this program."
Check the box next to "MAILTO"
The click "Save."

Then do the procedure in the Youtube video

[BoardGameClub]

It's crazy how hard it was to find this info, most of my search came up with really outdated information. Thanks!

[simonfink]

Thank you!  Taken me so long to not find how to do this before I found this video!

[WolfTickets]

Thank You!!! This was very very helpful!

[FredericBazin]

I am using latest chrome, there is no diamond in my browser.
I double checked protocl handlers, the list is blank and I can t add any.

I also double checked handler settings, they allow website to be used as handler.

What should I do ?

[JuliaDaRealtor]

How do I do this using a PC? I don't see that double diamond.

[thomasbentley]

The diamonds showed for me, but I cannot find the handler section in the settings.  I am using chrome and the latest gmail.

[Ogram]

I just want to get the gmail without getting the new account box...where can I just find a "thing" for gmail to click and get my email 

[JaydenLawson]

Thanks for this! Should be the top result in Google.  All the other pages are out of date.

[stephenmauro]

HI, GOOD BUT MY PROTOCOL HANDLER LIST HAS NOTING IN IT.