WINDOWS MAIL WANTS TO BE MY DEFAULT EMAIL PROGRAM-BY FORCE!!

i've always CHOSEN aol as my default email program. always. since buying my laptop in june '09, (my first, ever, new from box laptop--so EVERY setting was based on MY preferences) i set aol as my default email program.

it worked just fine till nearly 2 weeks ago--when i found a couch for sale on craigslist and clicked on the address...expecting it to open my aol mailbox (even when ofline)as usual. what opens instead, is windows mail--which appeared to me like an unremarkable knockoff of the equally detestable nuisance, outlook express.

i simply opened set default programs (VISTA OS) and reset it as desired. ha! no change...tried to delete it, it said i needed "permission" to delete...i signed on as administrator....permission DENIED!

so i i rang HP tech support and spent over FIVE HOURS with one tech and 1 hour w/another in a remote session--in which i saw them try everything i did--to no avail...culminating instead, in misbehaviour and then TOTAL break down of my entire aol system!!! missing files or components, none response in quick launch or desktop--opening only when right-clicked (how did i know to do this?...i DID TRY EVERYTHING)and run as an administator option!

this has been going on for NINE BLOODY, WASTED DAYS! please help me delete and banish this irksome ****** FOREVER! mind you, i'm not seeking to delete an email from windows mail (as i've seen many ask to do) i wish WINDOWS MAIL deleted, uninstalled, disabled--or at least to bypass microsoft shady bullying and get my aol(finally just fixed it) back as my SOLE email program. i thank you!