Outlook on Windows

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is limited to use on DESY Windows Devices. In addition to Microsoft Outlook itself, the so-called Zimbra Connector for Outlook (ZCO for short) is required for use. Like Microsoft Office, this must also be installed via the Software Shop. The use of Microsoft Outlook is necessary if you need to make your calendars (and e-mails) accessible offline. For example, to be able to access your data while on the road.

However, some of the required settings or approvals cannot be made in Outlook itself, but must be made beforehand via the Zimbra web interface (see above). Outlook also copies your data from the central service to your local device (creating a local image of your data available on the central service). The required copying process (synchronization) requires a corresponding amount of time especially in case of large inboxes and/or many appointments in calendars, on the one hand during the very first synchronization to your device, and on the other hand after longer periods of absence like e.g. vacations.

The fact that the data is stored locally on the device's hard drive also weakens the protection of the data somewhat compared to using the web interface, as this can create an additional point of attack.

Outlook can offer a clearer view of the calendars, especially for people who are confronted with managing many calendars in everyday life. Outlook can also provide integration into Word or Excel, e.g. for serial letters.

Base configuration

This guideline has been created using Microsoft Outlook 2019.

  1.     Install the "Zimbra Connector for MS Outlook 2019" package via DSM Software Shop.
  2.     Install the "Microsoft Office 2019" package via DSM Software Shop.
  3.     Restart your computer
  4.     Open Outlook
  5.     In the window that now opens (see Figure 1), the default Outlook profile is selected. Click on "OK" here.

Figure 1

5. Next a window opens (see Figure 2) with prepared connection data for the Mail. Please enter your account name in the "E-mail address" field and your corresponding password.

Figure 2

Depending on the size of your mailbox, the initial synchronization may take several hours. Please do not interrupt this process. During the synchronization, you can use the web client (https://mail.desy.de) without restrictions and access your mails and calendar using it.

Once the synchronization is complete, please remove the Outlook rule "Delete categories of e-mails" as follows:

  1. Select the "Start" tab and click on the "Rules" -> "Manage rule and notifications..." menu item.
  2. Here please delete the previously mentioned rule "Delete categories of emails".
     

After you complete this step, you can use Outlook in conjunction with the central email and calendar service.

FAQ

Below you will find a compilation of the most frequently asked questions when using Outlook.

 

How do I mount shared mail folders or calendars?

The inclusion of folders and calendars must first be configured in the Zimbra Web Client mail.desy.de. Under the following link you will find a short manual:

https://it.desy.de/dienste/e_mail/mail_programme_erweiterte_konfigurationen_informationen/allgemeine_informationen_fuer_alle_klienten/freigegebene_ordner_und_kalender_einbinden/index_ger.html

After the folder sharing has been set up in Zimbra and the Zimbra client is installed on the PC, the shares can be included in Outlook as follows (the shared data will be loaded automatically):

How do I send emails using another email address?

For certain purposes it is possible to send e-mails with a different e-mail address.

In order to be able to send from Outlook with another address, the delegation right "Send as" must first be granted by the desired address.

To do this, go to Settings -> Accounts -> Delegates with the desired e-mail address in the web client (see screenshot).

Please follow the steps below if you want to configure Outlook and have more than one email address.

In case you have an X.509 certificate for signing e-mails, please ensure that you use it only for the intended address. With the wrong address, a signed e-mail is seen as invalid by the recipient.

  • open Outlook,
  • choos the Zimbra tab and
  • then select "Persona" (green cross)
  • choose "Add..." in the opening dialog window.
  • choose an appropriate name, so you know later on which address is meant
  • Then enter a name for the "From:" field in the "Persona Settings - new_selector_name" box of the dialog window.
  • Select the desired e-mail address from the drop-down list and press "OK", then restart Outlook.
  • if you are composing a new e-mail you now may click on the From-field and choose from which address you would like to send.
How do I create an out of office reply using Outlook?

Open Outlook. Klick on the "Zimbra" tab. You will find the "Out of Office assistant", where you can edit your "Out of Office" message, adjust the displayed time period and add a seperate message for external recipients.

How to archive e-mails or appointments?
When you archive an email, you move the data from the email server to an archive file (PST). To do this, you just need to follow the instructions below:
  1.     Open Outlook
  2.     Click on "File" -> "Open and export".
  3.     Click on "Import / Export".
  4.     In the following dialog select "Export to file" and click on "Next".
  5.     In the next dialog select "Outlook data file (.pst)" at "File type to create" and click "Next" again
  6.     Next, select the items you want to export, using the offered filter if necessary.
  7.     In the last step, if necessary, enter a password to protect the data file from unauthorized access.
  8.     Save the file in a suitable place. Usually Outlook suggests a directory in your H: drive, which is recommended as a path. Please also note the information about archive files in the Do's & Don't on this page.
  9.     If the process was successful, delete the items archived this way from the mail server to free up the appropriate space there.
Please note that you can open PST files later only with Outlook. It is not possible to open these archive files in Zimbra or with other mail programs to work with them.

 

Do's & Dont's

There are a few things you should keep in mind while using Outlook to prevent problems. The following points provide an overview of recommended working methods or general recommendations by dealing with Outlook at DESY.

Do not send large attachments by e-mail or remove them from the mail server

Even if it is common to send large attachments such as image files, PDFs and similarvia mail, this is not always recommended.

Many mail programs, including Outlook, rely on storing emails, appointments, etc. locally. Attachments to these consume a corresponding amount of local storage space. In the long run, this can lead to Outlook becoming slow and possibly causing major problems at some point due to the amount of data it has to hold.

Therefore, if possible, make sure to work in a data-poor manner by considering the following recommendations:
  • Do not share files by e-mail or via appointments, but use central storage services such as the Windows network drives (H: / N:) or DESY Sync & Share (see https://it.desy.de/dienste/speicherdienste/desy_sync__share/). By using these services, you also have the advantage that authorizations you assign for data access can be revoked at any time. In this respect, you have considerably more control. Confidential files in particular should not be shared via e-mail.
  • If attachments are sent to you, download them and save the files in a suitable location. Network drives or DESY Sync & Share are also suitable here. Then delete the data from the mail server.

 

Avoid parallel operation of Outlook

It is not recommended to actively use Outlook on multiple devices at the same time, as experience has shown that this can lead to various synchronization problems and data inconsistencies. Therefore, if possible, try to work in a way that does not require parallel operation of Outlook and make sure to close Outlook after each use.

Always save your archive files (PST) on your H: drive
If you need to move data from your Inbox to a PST file, choose a folder on your H: drive as the location. The reason for this is that this is covered by the central data backup mechanisms. At the same time, this has the advantage that you have exclusive access rights to it and unauthorized third parties will not be able to access the file, and thus your mails and other personal data.

 

Do not permanently include archive files (PST)
If you have outsourced data from your Inbox to a PST file, please do not permanently include it under any circumstances. Open the file with Outlook only when you want to access e-mails or appointments in it and close it again when you have finished your work. The reason for this is that the central data backup only records the file if it is not open in Outlook overnight. Otherwise, no backup of the file can be performed.

 

Solve Problems

If you experience any problems while using Outlook, please take a look at the following web page. Here we have summarized steps you can take to solve the most common problems you may encounter when using Outlook:

https://it.desy.de/services/e_mail/mail_programs_advanced_configurations_informations/outlook/solve_sync_problems/