Seeking "run" method for email client

[qwert]

If I want to initiate an email from a script, I can just ShellExecute a file like Draft.eml to open a compose window ... IF there's an email client installed, of course.

But what if I just want to open a general use window on the desktop for that same client? ... to read new emails, for example.

Is anyone aware of a general "run" command that doesn't require knowing which client is installed (i.e., like when eml's start the registered client, whatever it is)?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

 

[water]

I think ShellExecute should be the way to go. If needed you can specify the "verb" parameter to define the action to be executed when the mail item is being opened.

[qwert]

ShellExecute ... but what?

I don't know the identity of the email client ... and draft.eml opens a compose window, which I don't want.  What "verb" would open the whole of the client and not a specific email message? (which I don't know, either)

If I've missed your point, I apologize.  And if there's no known way, that's OK.  But it's a feature I need to figure out, so I had to ask.

Worst case, I may have to open draft.eml hidden ... and then then try to figure out what's running to support it.  But I'd prefer a direct method, of course.

Thanks for your response.

 

 

 

[water]

Looks like the mail programs are stored in the registry: Search HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Clients\Mail. The default mail program seems to be flaged. Extract the program name and pass it to ShellExecute.
Sorry to not be more specific, but I have no Windows system available right now.

[water]

Another idea: What does

Shellexecute("mailto:")

return?

[qwert]

Search HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Clients\Mail

Good idea.  I looked that up and found this on  stack overflow

... with this suggestion:

Better to read HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\Mail. (But) this only gives you the name of the email application. If you want its executable file name, you have to go on with something like;

object mailCommand = Registry.GetValue(@"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail\" + mailClient.ToString() + @"\shell\open\command", "", "none");

and then remove anything extraneous from the command-line string that you don't need (quotes, parameters).

 I'll work toward a RegRead() equivalent.

Thanks.

 

[qwert]

Well, I've located the proper value (the actual run command) ... but the key path name of "Mozilla Thunderbird" presents a problem, since I don't know ahead of time what it might be ... and there could be multiple clients, I suppose.

Can someone offer a suggestion?

 

[JLogan3o13]

Like this. The problem you're going to run into is you will always have some default clients in that list. Even on a brand new install I have Hotmail and Windows Mail. You would have to disregard those unless they're the only entries.

Local $sSubKey = ""
For $i = 1 to 10
    $sSubKey = RegEnumKey("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Clients\Mail", $i)
    If @error Then ExitLoop
    ConsoleWrite($sSubKey & @CRLF)
Next

 

[jvanegmond]

Check this key too HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\mailto

Executable should be at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\mailto\shell\open\command

Key does not exist when no program is set.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Manadar
Zzz

[qwert]

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\mailto\shell\open\command

EXCELLENT suggestion!

That nails it ... and solves the problem of multiple installed clients.

Thank you!