Fixing TEL links with Lync 2013 on Windows 8 with Chrome

If you run both Lync 2013 and Chrome on Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 you will find that TEL links open with Chrome instead of the Lync client.  TEL links are hyperlinks used by Lync for one-click dialing.  For example: tel:14155551212

Here's how to fix it:

• Open an elevated CMD prompt and run the following command:

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Lync\Capabilities\URLAssociations" /v TEL /d "callto"

• Now you are able to change the TEL protocol association to Lync 2013.  Press the Windows key and type "Default Programs" to open the Default Programs utility.  Then click "Associate a file or protocol with a program."

• Scroll to the bottom of the list and select TEL under the Protocols section.  

• Click the Change Program button and set Lync (desktop) as the default program.  You will now see that Lync is the default program for the Tel protocol.

• Click the Close button and close the Default Programs utility.

Now Lync 2013 will open when you click a TEL link in Outlook or from a web page.  Thanks to my colleague, Greyson Mitchem, for the tip.