How do I stop Windows Mail (Vista x64) working?

I have issues with Windows Mail (WM), I don't like it's layout, and use Gmail. Unfortunately others expect me to use it, and WM automatically opens up, which means I then have to transfer their email addr into Firefox and Chrome. I just use Firefox or Chrome (when I want a receipt)
So, how do I stop WM working?
I also know it's part of the Vista x64 OS and cannot be uninstalled.
Is it ok to just go to programs, find the .prg and change it's name?
Is there a 'better' way of stopping it working/grabbing email addresses?
Sam.

Welcome
I think a look at this tutorial may solve your problem.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/165150-windows-mail-enable-disable.html

Thanks Richard, I have now via the tutorial you sent me, disabled WM. To some extent it works; unfortunately, it still doesn't stop a website (configured so you reply using WM) opening WM in a separate window on the desktop. The issue this causes, is I then have to copy & paste the e-mail address from WM, and then into Firefox, to send it off, because I'm not using WM, and want the email address in Firefox, not WM.

Maybe this doesn't annoy other people, but it certainly annoys me, and for the life of me, I can't see why a website or someone else, wishes to be such a 'control freak', by trying to 'force' me to reply via WM.

Try changing it in default programs.

You have to have another mail program installed to take its place and be set as default.

I was able to associate mailto to Opera however fire fox wasn't an option.