How to open Outlook "New mail message" window from VB.NET

.net vb.net email email-client
Adnan Badar picture Adnan Badar · Dec 27, 2010 · Viewed 47.5k times · Source

I've a scenario in which user can make a selection from a grid (having uploaded files on local folder) and when user press "send", application should open Outlook "New mail message" window having selected files as attachments (which user selected from grid).

Any help will be appreciated.

Answer

abatishchev picture abatishchev · Dec 27, 2010 
Imports System.Diagnostics

Process.Start(String.Format("mailto:{0}", address))

' set all possible parameters: '

Process.Start(String.Format("mailto:{0}?subject={1}&cc={2}&bcc={3}&body={4}", address, subject, cc, bcc, body))

' also escape spaces: '

Process.Start(String.Format("mailto:{0}?subject=\"{1}\"&cc={2}&bcc={3}&body=\"{4}\"", address, subject, cc, bcc, body))

Use next to include new line breaks:

body = body.Replace(Environment.NewLine ,"%0A")

will open default email client with new message composition dialog.

If Outlook is set as default client, it will be opened.

Anyway, never open explicitly non-default client (email, browser, etc) - that breaks clients' will and makes them hate you.

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