The question of using Vim for writing email messages with Vim on windows was raised many times. Finally there is an elegant solution. At download sylpheed-0.9.6claws.exe and install. Go to menu configuration -> Common preferences Go to tab Other and fill something like c:\Progra~1\Vim\vim62b\gvim.exe -f "%s" (depending on where your Vim is installed) as the the editor option The -f option is very important so Vim does not fork. You might also go to Compose tab and select Automatically launch an external editor.