Windows 7 E Mail problem

[dswaff]

I am not a computer guru but do know I have a problem that I have never encountered before. My e mail works fine if I forward, reply or create in IE. If I should I go to a site and click on to a hot link a window pops up saying "I do not have an E mail program associated to perform that operation". I proceed to my default page and again choose IE for my default E mail program, try again same thing. I am running Windows 7 home premium on a new computer w/quad channel. I know I am missing something somewhere just can't figure it out. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks DonS