How do I stop the Windows 10 Mail app’s giant URLS?
Q Can you help please? I duly changed from Windows 7 to Windows 10 in January and also have a superb new Palicomp desktop PC to run it – thanks for the recommendation! However, I’m being driven mad by the Mail app that comes with Windows 10. The worst part of the new software is that the URL of something in an email appears in a huge box, which can obscure the email’s contents (see screenshot). I’ve read that the obliterating URL is for security purposes and cannot be removed, but as I am not a paranoid conspiracy theorist I find that unacceptable. Can you recommend what to do? Can Windows Mail be replaced by something as good as Windows Live Mail? Michael Postlethwaite
A We’re afraid this is no conspiracy theory: currently, there is no way to stop the Windows 10 Mail app from displaying the full URL when hovering over a button or a link. If that URL is long – and links embedded into emails often are – then it does indeed have the effect of blotting out large parts of the message. You’re also right that Microsoft considers this a security benefit, and it is, kind of. By forcing you to see the full web address of the link, the company hopes users will become more attuned to dodgy URLS.
We’ll reserve judgement on that, but until such time as Microsoft changes its mind – and best of luck counting sheep waiting for that to happen – these giant URLS will continue appearing.
However, you don’t have to stick with Mail. A favourite alternative of both us and our readers is em Client, which is a free download from www.emclient.com – so give that a try.