Note: This article is specific to Windows 7 so it may or may not apply to other versions.
Why set a default email client?
There are many reasons why you’d want to do this… improving your workflow, seamless email functions within Windows and the programs you use… etc. However, in my case, I was looking for an easy way to forward a scan as an email which would use my preferred email client all from within Windows Fax and Scan.
How?
Fortunately, Windows 7 has this built in but was grayed out.
To remedy this go to Control Panel > Programs > Default Programs > Set your default programs. Locate your email program of choice, mine happens to be Mailbird, select it then click on Set this program as default and click OK.
Now the next time I launch Windows Fax and Scan, Forward as E-mail is an option and when I click on that, my email client of choice opens up and attaches the scan in a new message.