No matter what I try Mozilla Thunderbird REFUSES to give up its default email status no matter how many times I try and change the default email app to either Mail or Outlook. Has anyone had this problem and what did you try?
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Unable to change the default email client
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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Did you try selecting Mail, Preferences, General, Default Email Reader, and click on the down arrow to select "Mail app" from "Thunderbird app"? A checkmark will appear next to the selected default. You might have to restart the Mail app but that should do it.
It does not do it as like I mentioned in my OP nothing I try works including this as the Mail app goes back to listing Thunderbird as the default email app.
I wonder if you're running into a permissions error? Since we can no longer repair permissions using Disk Utility from El Capitan, you might want to download OnyX from here (it's free) and use it to repair permissions and then see if you can set Mail as the default. You may have to over ride Gatekeeper in order to open and install OnyX after it's downloaded.
I also have Tech Tools Pro. Perhaps this will help.
[doublepost=1457841942][/doublepost]
Ran TTP and it repaired many bad permissions however the default email client problem remains.
I just checked my copy of Mozilla Thunderbird and went through its preferences several times trying to find out where, if anyplace, it might assign itself as the default mail client. The only thing I found was under "Advanced Options" "General" tab, there's a box where you can place a checkmark labeled "Always check to see if Thunderbird is the default mail client on startup". That box is not checked on my copy. (I only use Thunderbird for NNTP news forums and not email.) Other than that, I'm at a loss why you can't change the default mail client to Apple Mail.
Yeah that option was already disabled so I am at a loss on the problem. I think its got to be some deep system issue on the Mac.
jwolf:
Your comment:
"That only works on PPC macs as was unable to install."
... is wrong.
You should try to fix this by following the instructions I posted in another thread you posted about the same problem.
You can see those instructions here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphoto-vs-photos.1960868/#post-22664306
If you are running El Capitan, you will probably have to TURN OFF "System Integrity Protection" to install this.
How to turn off SIP in El Capitan:
1. Boot to the recovery partition
2. Open Terminal
3. Enter "csrutil disable" (without quotes) and press return
4. Reboot to your regular partition
5. Open Terminal and enter "csrutil status" (to see if it is in fact disabled).
6. NOW try installing the RCDefaultApp preference pane.
(important: PRINT OUT these notes so that you can refer to the commands in Terminal)
Does this work?
If so, you can re-enable SIP by repeating the steps above, but instead of "csrutil disable", enter "csrutil enable" and see if that works for you.
Also:
DO NOT use the MacUpdate link for the RCDefaultApp pref pane.
Instead, use the link I provided in the instructions above.
Your comment:
"That only works on PPC macs as was unable to install."
... is wrong.
You should try to fix this by following the instructions I posted in another thread you posted about the same problem.
You can see those instructions here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphoto-vs-photos.1960868/#post-22664306
If you are running El Capitan, you will probably have to TURN OFF "System Integrity Protection" to install this.
How to turn off SIP in El Capitan:
1. Boot to the recovery partition
2. Open Terminal
3. Enter "csrutil disable" (without quotes) and press return
4. Reboot to your regular partition
5. Open Terminal and enter "csrutil status" (to see if it is in fact disabled).
6. NOW try installing the RCDefaultApp preference pane.
(important: PRINT OUT these notes so that you can refer to the commands in Terminal)
Does this work?
If so, you can re-enable SIP by repeating the steps above, but instead of "csrutil disable", enter "csrutil enable" and see if that works for you.
Also:
DO NOT use the MacUpdate link for the RCDefaultApp pref pane.
Instead, use the link I provided in the instructions above.
Perhaps I downloaded the PPC version. Whats the website again? Thanks..
[doublepost=1457894661][/doublepost]
Thanks for your help. I was in church but should look into getting this problem resolved soon. I hate rebooting my Mac especially when I keep open many apps and the thing is slow on the first boot, but once everything is up and running the Mac runs quite well. I am using a RPM hard drive so not as fast. Also to note that if I boot into Safe Mode I am able to change the default email client.
That is interesting. Safe mode stops all launch and startup items from running, so this would indicate you may have a launch or startup item that is interfering here.
Run the app Etrecheck once while in regular mode (not safe mode) and it will create a report showing everything running. The report is anonymized, so you can post it here so we can take a look to maybe help you figure this out.
Last edited:
EtreCheck version: 2.9.9 (260)
Report generated 2016-03-13 16:00:21
Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com
Runtime 6:33
Performance: Below Average
Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
Problem: No problem - just checking
Hardware Information: ⓘ
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro9,2
1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]
BANK 0/DIMM0
4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 6
Video Information: ⓘ
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Color LCD 1280 x 800
System Software: ⓘ
OS X El Capitan 10.11.3 (15D21) - Time since boot: about 21 days
Disk Information: ⓘ
APPLE HDD HTS545050A7E362 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 498.89 GB (76.64 GB free)
Core Storage: disk0s2 499.25 GB Online
MATSHITADVD-R UJ-8A8 ()
USB Information: ⓘ
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ⓘ
Mac App Store and identified developers
Kernel Extensions: ⓘ
/Applications/TechTool Pro 8.app
[not loaded] com.micromat.driver.spdKernel (1 - SDK 10.11 - 2015-10-21) [Support]
[not loaded] com.micromat.driver.spdKernel-10-8 (1 - SDK 10.11 - 2015-10-21) [Support]
/Library/Application Support/MacKeeper/AntiVirus.app
[loaded] net.kromtech.kext.AVKauth (2.3.9 - SDK 10.10 - 2015-08-17) [Support]
[loaded] net.kromtech.kext.Firewall (2.3.9 - SDK 10.10 - 2015-08-17) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore (5.2.2 - SDK 10.4 - 2016-02-27) [Support]
/System/Library/Extensions/Seagate Storage Driver.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_4 (5.2.2 - SDK 10.4 - 2012-10-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.PowSecLeafDriver_10_5 (5.2.2 - SDK 10.5 - 2012-10-13) [Support]
[not loaded] com.seagate.driver.SeagateDriveIcons (5.2.2 - SDK 10.4 - 2012-10-13) [Support]
Startup Items: ⓘ
RetroRun: Path: /Library/StartupItems/RetroRun
Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite
System Launch Agents: ⓘ
[not loaded] 6 Apple tasks
[loaded] 141 Apple tasks
[running] 89 Apple tasks
System Launch Daemons: ⓘ
[failed] com.apple.csrutil.report.plist
[not loaded] 44 Apple tasks
[loaded] 143 Apple tasks
[running] 99 Apple tasks
Launch Agents: ⓘ
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-01) [Support]
[running] com.micromat.TechToolProAgent.plist (2015-10-21) [Support]
[running] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2013-01-13) [Support]
[running] com.seagate.SeagateStorageGauge.plist (2010-03-10) [Support]
Launch Daemons: ⓘ
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-03-07) [Support]
[loaded] com.barebones.authd.plist (2012-08-21) [Support]
[loaded] com.barebones.textwrangler.plist (2011-03-17) [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-03-01) [Support]
[running] com.micromat.TechToolProDaemon.plist (2015-10-21) [Support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2011-03-10) [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2013-01-13) [Support]
[loaded] com.skype.skypeinstaller.plist (2016-02-27) [Support]
[running] com.wyse.PocketCloud.plist (2012-04-02) [Support]
[running] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.AntiVirus.plist (2014-08-30) [Support]
User Launch Agents: ⓘ
[running] com.zeobit.MacKeeper.Helper.plist (2016-03-12) [Support]
User Login Items: ⓘ
iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
Garmin Express Service Application Hidden (/Applications/Garmin Express.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Garmin Express Service.app)
Google Drive Application (/Applications/Google Drive.app)
Other Apps: ⓘ
[running] com.Growl.GrowlHelperApp.312352
[running] com.etresoft.EtreCheck.322592
[running] com.garmin.renu.service.295392
[running] com.google.GoogleDrive.65632
[running] com.intuit.Quicken.2015.59872
[running] com.microsoft.Excel.121952
[loaded] com.microsoft.Word.48032
[running] com.microsoft.autoupdate.fba.257952
[running] org.mozilla.kompozer.41952
[loaded] 400 Apple tasks
[running] 254 Apple tasks
Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
Flash Player: 21.0.0.182 - SDK 10.6 (2016-03-11) [Support]
AdobePDFViewer: 9.5.5 (2013-05-16) [Support]
LogMeInSafari32: 1.0.660 (2012-03-20) [Support]
googletalkbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-11) [Support]
iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (2012-01-14)
PepperFlashPlayer: 21.0.0.182 - SDK 10.6 (2016-03-12) [Support]
RealPlayer Plugin: Unknown (2012-01-14) [Support]
QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-02-06)
LogMeInSafari64: 1.0.660 (2012-03-20) [Support]
FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.182 - SDK 10.6 (2016-03-11) [Support]
GarminGpsControl: 4.2.0.0 - SDK 10.8 (2014-03-31) [Support]
ActiveGS: 3.5.762 - SDK 10.6 (2012-01-22) [Support]
Silverlight: 5.1.40728.0 - SDK 10.6 (2015-09-12) [Support]
CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version 1.1.6 (2011-09-20) [Support]
LogMeIn: 1.0.660 (2012-04-15) [Support]
SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.5.6 - SDK 10.6 (2015-10-08) [Support]
Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-02-06)
o1dbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-14) [Support]
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 3.1.0.24 - SDK 10.8 (2013-03-17) [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 65 build 17 (2015-10-25) Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
Picasa: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 (2015-10-13) [Support]
Google Earth Web Plug-in: 7.1 (2013-10-07) [Support]
Safari Extensions: ⓘ
1-ClickWeather (2010-09-19)
Snapper (2010-11-15)
Bobsled by T-Mobile (2011-11-09)
3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ
Flash Player (2016-03-07) [Support]
Flip4Mac WMV (2013-03-17) [Support]
Growl (2012-01-14) [Support]
Java (2015-10-25) [Support]
MacFUSE (2010-08-05) [Support]
Perian (2011-07-23) [Support]
TechTool Protection (2015-10-21) [Support]
Time Machine: ⓘ
Skip System Files: NO
Mobile backups: ON
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 498.89 GB Disk used: 422.24 GB
Destinations:
FreeAgent GoFlex Drive [Local]
Total size: 487.84 GB
Total number of backups: 7
Oldest backup: 7/19/15, 11:03 AM
Last backup: 1/30/16, 3:52 PM
Size of backup disk: Too small
Backup size 487.84 GB < (Disk used 422.24 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ
16% iTunes
10% kernel_task
6% WindowServer
6% sandboxd
3% com.apple.WebKit.Plugin.64
Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ
971 MB kernel_task
811 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(8)
287 MB iPhoto
279 MB iTunes
238 MB MacKeeper Helper
Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ
54 MB Free RAM
7.94 GB Used RAM (1.32 GB Cached)
1.47 GB Swap Used
Diagnostics Information: ⓘ
Standard users cannot read /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports.
Run as an administrator account to see more information.
You're using Mackeeper? Real Player? Ancient versions of Snapper and Bobsled? Man, you're asking for a troubled system.
Did you try changing the default email client in mail.app preferences? It's the only official way to do it in El Cap. Make sure Thunderbird is NOT running while you change it in mail.app.
Did you try changing the default email client in mail.app preferences? It's the only official way to do it in El Cap. Make sure Thunderbird is NOT running while you change it in mail.app.
Yeah I must have some old software on my system I will check for that. What do snapper and Bobsled do? How to get rid of these apps as I could not find them in the app folder?
EtreCheck shows you have not completed a Time Machine backup since 1/30/16 so you should do a fresh successful backup BEFORE making any startup changes.
Look at the EtreCheck report and navigate to file locations and remove them (drag to trash but do not delete yet). EtreCheck shows where the files are located and none of them are in the Applications folder.
You will need to restart for the changes to effect and before you can fully delete the files from the Trash and there are no problems. I recommend removing kromtech also, since it is associated with Mackeeper.
It seems the EtreCheck report indicated you were logged as a Standard user instead of Admin.
MacKeeper needs to go away (completely 
)
I also see that you show RetroRun in startup items. When I searched for that at the Retrospect support forums, RetroRun has not been part of the Retrospect installation since version 6.1 - which means you have an install of that several years old. Current Retrospect would be version 13, for example.
Snapper is an audio support app.
Bobsled from tmobile is a messaging app (for Android only, I think?)
)I also see that you show RetroRun in startup items. When I searched for that at the Retrospect support forums, RetroRun has not been part of the Retrospect installation since version 6.1 - which means you have an install of that several years old. Current Retrospect would be version 13, for example.
Snapper is an audio support app.
Bobsled from tmobile is a messaging app (for Android only, I think?)
Some good suggestions here already... I agree with ditching MacKeeper. That is like the herpes of Mac applications.
You do have some Mr. Belvedere era apps and utilities running there.
Try to remove the ones mentioned already and restart and see how it goes, then let is know.
You do have some Mr. Belvedere era apps and utilities running there.
Try to remove the ones mentioned already and restart and see how it goes, then let is know.
MacKeeper needs to go away (completely
I also see that you show RetroRun in startup items. When I searched for that at the Retrospect support forums, RetroRun has not been part of the Retrospect installation since version 6.1 - which means you have an install of that several years old. Current Retrospect would be version 13, for example.
Snapper is an audio support app.
Bobsled from tmobile is a messaging app (for Android only, I think?)
Snapper is a safari extension that I have disabled so it should not be a problem. Bobsled I cannot find on my Mac so not sure how that got on the report.
Okay after the reboot Mail.app is the new default email client
Under that folder I get this
file:///Users/jwolf6589/Library/Safari/Extensions/1-ClickWeather.safariextz
file:///Users/jwolf6589/Library/Safari/Extensions/Extensions.plist
file:///Users/jwolf6589/Library/Safari/Extensions/Snapper.safariextz
file:///Users/jwolf6589/Library/Safari/Extensions/vring!%20HD.safariextz
[doublepost=1457921914][/doublepost]
I reboot and the mail.app is the new default email client and I tried to change it to Outlook or Thunderbird and it again own let me.
Under that folder I get this
file:///Users/jwolf6589/Library/Safari/Extensions/1-ClickWeather.safariextz
file:///Users/jwolf6589/Library/Safari/Extensions/Extensions.plist
file:///Users/jwolf6589/Library/Safari/Extensions/Snapper.safariextz
file:///Users/jwolf6589/Library/Safari/Extensions/vring!%20HD.safariextz
[doublepost=1457921914][/doublepost]
I reboot and the mail.app is the new default email client and I tried to change it to Outlook or Thunderbird and it again own let me.
But, isn't that the result that you wanted - to make the Mail.app the default again?
Sounds like a good result, eh?
You didn't say if you tried the RCDefault.app this time.
Can't say about that bobsled extension, but maybe you can find it with a spotlight search, or you could try the find command in the terminal.
Sounds like a good result, eh?
You didn't say if you tried the RCDefault.app this time.
Can't say about that bobsled extension, but maybe you can find it with a spotlight search, or you could try the find command in the terminal.