Tutorials

Tutorials

Microsoft messaging and collaboration services

• SharePoint Online PowerShell commands for admin tasks

  You can avoid the admin portal when you pick up your PowerShell game and learn how to manage cloud-based resources in Office 365, including the SharePoint collaboration platform.  Continue Reading

• Build a Power Automate flow using the Graph API

  Administrators of Office 365 or Azure platforms can benefit from using newer Microsoft software technologies to handle many jobs, such as automating tasks and generating reports.  Continue Reading

• Lighten up and install Exchange 2019 on Windows Server Core

  Organizations looking to tighten up security in every aspect of their infrastructure now have the option to deploy their on-premises messaging system on Server Core 2019.  Continue Reading

• How to set up Office 365 modern authentication

  Learn how to manage modern authentication with a relatively new PowerShell cmdlet to keep end users in touch with their Exchange Online mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• How to uninstall Exchange 2013 after a cutover migration

  Don't throw a retirement party for that Exchange 2013 server and pull the plug prematurely without going through this checklist to avoid any issues.  Continue Reading

• How to track Office 365 guest users

  Administrators should get familiar with the platform tools at their disposal to check Office 365 Groups access and ensure tenant security.  Continue Reading

• BYOD considerations for Exchange admins

  Having a tough time saying "no" to BYOD? Good news, you don’t have to. Get up-to-date on key BYOD concerns and discover PowerShell cmdlets you can use to manage and gather ActiveSync info.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell basics for the Exchange admin

  Creating PowerShell scripts in Exchange can help you avoid typing out long EMS commands for daily administrative actions. Here are the basics.  Continue Reading

• Why throttling PowerShell in Exchange 2010 is a good idea

  Did you know that you can restrict PowerShell use in Exchange 2010 to improve server performance? Get the details on setting PowerShell limits in your environment.  Continue Reading

• How to mount a recovery database in Exchange Server 2010

  Because of architectural changes, you'll need to create and mount a database to recover items in Exchange Server 2010. Follow these steps for mailbox recovery and get some command-line switches that will refine the scope of recovered items.  Continue Reading

• Lessen your client access server burden via throttling policies

  Users can connect to Exchange Server 2010 using several different methods, which can overwork a client access server. Setting up client-throttling policies via the Exchange Management Shell will evenly distribute Exchange Server resources.  Continue Reading

• Event logs shed light on Exchange Server DSAccess issues

  Exchange Server 2003 uses DSAccess to communicate with Active Directory. However, the distributed nature of Active Directory may make it difficult to get to the root cause of DSAccess issues. Begin the process by analyzing Event 2080 data.  Continue Reading

• How to create multiple instances of OWA

  Creating multiple instances of OWA is a great way to assign varying sets of features to different OWA users. It can also provide users with file share access. These steps explain how to create multiple instances of OWA no matter which version of ...  Continue Reading

• Set-ExchangeServer cmdlet can ease domain controller workloads

  Exchange Server can distribute workloads evenly among domain controllers, but external factors can cause them to become overworked . Executing Exchange Management Shell's Set-ExchangeServer command can help lessen domain controller workloads.  Continue Reading

• Effects of excessive mailbox size and storage on Outlook performance

  So you applied the February 2009 cumulative update or Microsoft Office 2007 SP2, but Outlook is still performing poorly. Why? Maybe it's time to check how much data is being stored in your users Exchange mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• Block Web beacons and protect OWA users from spam

  Web beacons confirm the validity of email addresses and confirm that spam has made it through a user's filter. Outlook blocks Web beacons by default, but OWA doesn't. Learn more about Web beacons and how to protect your users from spam with EMS ...  Continue Reading

• Remove Exchange 2003 from Active Directory to install Exchange 2010

  A clean Active Directory is vital for an Exchange Server 2010 migration. If you still have Exchange 2003 remnants hanging around, use the ADSI Edit tool to remove them.  Continue Reading

• Outlook 2007 shut-down problems and fixes

  Several issues can cause errors when Microsoft Outlook 2007 shuts down. Finding and diagnosing the root cause should be your first line of defense in preventing future problems. Check the add-in applications that use Outlook's data files to see if ...  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook and SharePoint calendar dos and don'ts

  Improperly linking and labeling calendar entries from Microsoft Outlook can confuse other SharePoint team members. Here are some dos and don'ts for copying an event from one calendar to another.  Continue Reading

• Two useful tools for documenting an Exchange Server installation

  Exchange BPA and ExchDump tools let you collect data about your Exchange installation, including settings and server configuration information. Learn how to translate this data and include it into your installation documentation.  Continue Reading

• Lock down direct file access and protect OWA users

  Built-in OWA security features may not be enough to secure direct file access. If you can't disable the feature, what's the next best security measure?  Continue Reading

• Fix Outlook 2007 and SharePoint synchronization breaks

  The .pst file that is created when synchronizing Outlook and SharePoint is linked to a user's profile. However, synchronization can break if roaming profiles are being used. There are a couple of settings you can enable to work around this ...  Continue Reading

• An introduction to the Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer tool

  A beta version of Microsoft's Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer tool assists administrators with remote end-to-end validation and diagnostics. Use this free tool perform a variety of connectivity tests for everything from Outlook to Exchange Web...  Continue Reading

• Custom error message redirects OWA users

  If SSL encryption is required and your Outlook Web Access users forget to type the HTTPS:// prefix, they may receive an error message. Set up a custom error message to redirect OWA users to the correct site using this HTML code.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Microsoft Outlook Web Access problems

  When logging on to Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA), unexpected problems can occur. This tutorial explains how to diagnose some tricky OWA problems and login issues, gives tips on how to fix IIS metabase corruption and more.  Continue Reading

• Control Outlook 2007 in cached mode settings with group policies

  Enabling or disabling Cached Exchange mode can affect Exchange Server performance. You can control these settings using a centralized group policy. Get an introduction to some policy settings that can help Microsoft Outlook 2007 in cached mode ...  Continue Reading

• Exchange Performance Monitor tracks domain controller communication

  Using Performance Monitor counters is an effective way to keep an eye on Exchange Server health. Learn which Performance Monitor counters you should watch to ensure that your Exchange Servers are communicating effectively with your domain ...  Continue Reading

• Performing advanced search queries in Microsoft Outlook 2007

  Trying to locate an email in Microsoft Outlook 2007 can be an arduous process, but some commands let you narrow down search results. In this tip, Microsoft Exchange expert Brien Posey explains a few Microsoft Outlook 2007 commands to help you ...  Continue Reading

• Group policy settings for Outlook 2007 in cached mode

  Using Outlook 2007 in cached mode allows mobile users to access mailboxes while not connected to Exchange Server. This tip explains some different .OST file group policy settings you can use to control how Outlook 2007 operates in cached mode.  Continue Reading

• Which ActiveSync authentication method is best for your mobile device?

  When securing ActiveSync mobile devices in Exchange 2007, there are several authentication methods, including basic authentication, certificate-based authentication and token-based authentication. Read about the differences of each ActiveSync ...  Continue Reading

• Using the Export-Mailbox command in Exchange Server 2007

  Get an overview of how to use the Export-Mailbox command to migrate Exchange Server 2007 mailbox content. Get an overview of how this command differs from ExMerge and the Move Mailbox Wizards, some of its limitations, compatibility issues and more.  Continue Reading

• Previewing SharePoint document libraries in Microsoft Outlook

  Microsoft Outlook's reading pane allows users to preview SharePoint document libraries without having to open them or check them out. This can be a big timesaver when viewing Microsoft Word documents or PowerPoint presentations. But Outlook's ...  Continue Reading

• Configuring ActiveSync authentication in Exchange Server 2007

  ActiveSync authentication is a process in which a mobile device and the Exchange 2007 Client Access Server confirm each other's identities. Confirmation takes place in different ways, depending on how ActiveSync has been configured. Learn how to ...  Continue Reading

• Fix 'Service unavailable' errors and other common OWA login problems

  Common Outlook Web Access (OWA) logon errors involve unavailable service or inheritance errors. Causes for these errors can range from the use of mismatched ASP.NET versions on an OWA Server to incorrect user permissions. This tip explains why users...  Continue Reading

• Understand data file storage in Outlook 2007 Roaming and Local folders

  Microsoft Outlook 2007 has several data and customization files, making it easy to forget which files do what. Get an explanation of the various files within Outlook 2007's Roaming and Local folders and learn how they're used.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook Web Access logon issues

  Are you experiencing problems logging into Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA)? Although OWA isn't the most complicated application, its numerous deployment options can cause problems. In this tip, Exchange Server expert Brien Posey explains ...  Continue Reading

• Creating and assigning a Unified Messaging hunt group

  A Unified Messaging hunt group is created to link an inbound call number to a certain UM dial plan. In this excerpt from "Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference," learn how a hunt group works with a UM server and an IP gateway, along...  Continue Reading

• Mailbox policy configuration for Unified Messaging

  In this excerpt from "Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference," discover how to create a mailbox policy, along with the best settings and configurations on a Unified Messaging server in Exchange Server 2007.  Continue Reading

• Creating a Unified Messaging Dial Plan

  Unified Messaging (UM) Dial Plans store the information necessary to work with the telephony system in Active Directory (AD). In this excerpt from "Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference," discover how to create an UM Dial Plan in ...  Continue Reading

• Dialing rules and restrictions for Unified Messaging users

  Unified Messaging-enabled users are able to call only users configured with the same UM dial plan. In this excerpt from "Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference," find out how to set up outdialing and dialing rule entries for both ...  Continue Reading

• Defining Exchange Unified Messaging architecture

  In this excerpt from "Microsoft Exchange Server 2007: The Complete Reference," you'll get an introduction to the Unified Messaging for Exchange 2007 architecture and learn about its three major components: the Unified Messaging Service, Unified ...  Continue Reading

• Configuring a Unified Messaging IP gateway

  Creating and configuring a Unified Messaging (UM) IP gateway requires associating it with an existing UM dial plan. Get the steps on how to accomplish it here.  Continue Reading

• Enabling Unified Messaging mailboxes and users

  When Unified Messaging is deployed in an Exchange 2007 environment, the Exchange Recipient Administrator can configure UM mailbox-enabled users and begin to allow email, voicemail and faxes to be delivered to their Inboxes. In this excerpt from "...  Continue Reading

• Deleting and reconnecting Exchange Server 2007 mailboxes

  There's a subtle difference between a deleted Exchange Server 2007 mailbox and a disconnected mailbox. Learn how to reconnect a deleted Exchange mailbox.  Continue Reading

• How to create and configure Exchange Server 2007 distribution groups

  Learn how to create Exchange Server 2007 distribution groups and dynamic distribution groups or mail-enable an existing security group in Active Directory.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Apple iPhone and Exchange Server integration issues

  Find out how to configure Exchange ActiveSync to synchronize Apple iPhone and Exchange Server email, calendars and contacts. You'll also get tips and advice on how to avoid common iPhone and Exchange Server setup issues; how to mitigate iPhone ...  Continue Reading

• Top Exchange Server performance monitoring and troubleshooting tools

  Maintaining a healthy Exchange server is critical to achieving peak performance. Leveraging the monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities of tools such as the Performance Monitor, which prevents growth-related performance issues through capacity ...  Continue Reading

• How to protect an Exchange journaling mailbox from email spoofing

  In pure Exchange Server 2007 environments, traffic that flows between the hub transport servers and the mailbox servers is encrypted. This makes man-in-the-middle attacks unlikely against an Exchange journaling system, but not impossible. Get the ...  Continue Reading

• Create a group policy to prevent .PST file storage in Exchange 2007

  Use the Group Policy Object Editor in Active Directory to prevent users from storing new data in .PST files on Exchange 2007 and Microsoft Outlook 2007.  Continue Reading

• Why are .PST files a security threat to Exchange Server mailboxes?

  The use of .PST files can threaten mailbox security in an Exchange Server organization. Learn why these files are so problematic and how to disable them.  Continue Reading

• VPN setup requirements for Microsoft Exchange Server

  Before setting up a virtual private network (VPN) to connect remote users to Microsoft Exchange Server, find out what VPN hardware and software is needed.  Continue Reading

• Use the free Windows Mobile emulator to test mobility on Exchange

  Learn how the free Windows Mobile emulator can test mobile device connections to Exchange Server before spending money on infrastructure and hardware.  Continue Reading

• How to test Exchange Management Shell commands

  Understand how to use the Exchange Management Shell parameters WhatIf and ValidateOnly in Exchange 2007 to preview and test EMS commands before executing them.  Continue Reading

• Control query results with Exchange Management Shell's Format command

  Get details on how to use Exchange Management Shell's Format command and Pipe symbol to perform complex queries in Exchange Server 2007.  Continue Reading

• How to use Exchange Management Shell's Filter command

  Learn how to use the Filter command and operators in Exchange Server 2007's Exchange Management Shell to obtain more granular search results.  Continue Reading

• How to improve Outlook Web Access (OWA) security

  Two big Outlook Web Access security issues are email attachments and OWA user authentication. Get tips on how to improve Outlook Web Access security here.  Continue Reading

• How to use the Exchange Management Shell command syntax

  Learn the basic syntax of Exchange Management Shell commands in Exchange Server 2007 and how to use the Get-Mailbox command to retrieve a list of mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• Enable user-level segmentation to control OWA components

  Learn how to enable user-level OWA segmentation in Exchange Server 2007 to control email components, and get details on functions of different features.  Continue Reading

• Modifying the look of OWA in Exchange Server 2007

  Learn how to customize default Outlook Web Access (OWA) themes, add a company logo or create a custom header in Exchange Server 2007.  Continue Reading

• Using cascading style sheets to change a color in OWA

  Use cascading style sheets (.CSS files) in Exchange 2007 to change Outlook Web Access theme colors, add a legal disclaimer and modify an OWA sign-on screen.  Continue Reading

• How to handle file attachment access in OWA

  Set email attachment rules in Outlook Web Access to enhance OWA security on public computers and protect systems from malicious files or viruses.  Continue Reading

• Using a file share witness with Exchange 2007 CCR

  The new MNS quorum model with file share witness is required for using the CCR functionality in Exchange Server 2007. Learn how to configure it here.  Continue Reading

• Managing an Exchange 2007 Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) setup

  Get an overview of the Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) feature in Exchange Server 2007 and learn how to configure and manage a CCR setup.  Continue Reading

• Using Queue Viewer in Exchange 2007 to prevent mail flow problems

  Check mail flow in Exchange Server 2007 with the Exchange Management Console's Queue Viewer to proactively prevent email message delivery problems.  Continue Reading

• Understanding message queues in Exchange 2007 Queue Viewer

  Read how Exchange Server 2007 message queue types guide mail flow through a transport pipeline and learn how to monitor the Queue Viewer to prevent issues.  Continue Reading

• Monitor mail flow with the Exchange Server 2007 Queue Viewer tool

  Learn how to use the Exchange Server 2007 Queue Viewer tool to monitor mail flow and get details on five messaging queues that function as email repositories.  Continue Reading

• Methods for moving mailboxes and public folders to Exchange 2007

  Learn how to migrate older Exchange Server mailboxes and public folders to Exchange 2007 using the Move Mailbox Wizard GUI tool or Exchange Management Shell.  Continue Reading

• Email archiving and retention with Exchange 2007 managed folders

  Learn how to use managed folders in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 for email archiving, message retention, and storage quota limits on user mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• Managing Local Continuous Replication (LCR) in Exchange 2007

  Get an overview of Exchange Server 2007's new Local Continuous Replication (LCR) feature and learn how to manage Local Continuous Replication to provide high availability for Exchange 2007 storage groups.  Continue Reading

• Manage Exchange 2007 public folders with the Exchange Management Shell

  Find out how to use the Exchange Management Shell to execute command-line scripts and parameters to manage Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 public folders.  Continue Reading

• How to solve common ActiveSync error messages

  Discover how to fix common Exchange ActiveSync errors, including SSL Event ID errors 3029, 3030 and 30031, HTTP, SMTP and 0x80830003 synchronization errors.  Continue Reading

• Connecting Windows Server and Microsoft Exchange to iSCSI SAN LUNs

  Learn how to connect Windows Server 2003 to iSCSI SAN target LUNs and the procedure for partitioning and formatting disks on the Exchange Server system.  Continue Reading

• iSCSI SAN storage design options for Microsoft Exchange Server

  Discover three storage design approaches for deploying an iSCSI SAN for Microsoft Exchange Server and the pros and cons of each approach.  Continue Reading

• A basic primer on iSCSI storage architecture

  Discover the basic mechanics of iSCSI storage technology and how typical iSCSI standards and components operate, including targets, initiators and LUNs.  Continue Reading

• Moving Microsoft Exchange Server databases and logs to iSCSI SAN LUNs

  Discover how to move Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or Exchange 2007 databases and transaction logs to iSCSI SAN LUNs.  Continue Reading

• How to uninstall Exchange Server 2007 and individual server roles

  Get detailed instructions on how to uninstall Exchange 2007 and its server roles, including the Client Access, Edge Transport, Hub Transport and Mailbox server roles.  Continue Reading

• Part 1: SMTP commands and server response codes

  Learn how several common SMTP commands work and the meaning of SMTP numeric response codes.  Continue Reading

• Part 2: How to perform a Telnet SMTP session for Exchange Server 2003

  Get a demonstration of how to perform an SMTP session via Telnet to send email messages in Exchange Server 2003.  Continue Reading

• Part 4: Security-related and Exchange-specific ESMTP commands

  Discover several security-related and Exchange-specific ESMTP commands that offer enhanced email delivery notification, host authentication and encryption.  Continue Reading

• Part 3: How Extended SMTP works and common ESMTP commands

  Learn how Extended STMP (ESMTP) works and discover the functionality of several common ESMTP commands.  Continue Reading

• Creating a SharePoint Server disaster recovery operations document

  Get an example of a Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 disaster recovery operations document and learn how to ensure its effectiveness.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Enable diagnostic logging for the Exchange Recipient Update Service

  Learn how to enable Exchange Server 2003 diagnostic logging services to troubleshoot Recipient Update Service (RUS) problems.  Continue Reading

• An introduction to Microsoft Exchange System Attendant

  Find out how the Microsoft Exchange System Attendant and its subcomponents work to proxy AD requests and to regulate Exchange's internal functions.  Continue Reading

• Part 2: Displaying message classifications in Outlook 2007

  Exchange 2007 message classifications are hidden from Microsoft Outlook 2007 by default. If a message is classified by a transport rule, Outlook will display the classification. However, Outlook 2007 cannot be used to manually classify a message ...  Continue Reading

• How to set up Exchange 2007 message classifications

  Learn how to set up Exchange 2007 message classifications and transport rules to secure and control the way email is handled and distributed in your organization.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Administration Guide

  Browse Exchange Server 2003 administration best practices, tips, and tools that will help you manage all aspects of your Microsoft email environment.  Continue Reading

• How to use SMTP queues to troubleshoot mail flow

  Find out how you can use SMTP queues to diagnose and troubleshoot Exchange Server mail flow and email performance issues.  Continue Reading

• Managing Microsoft Outlook and Exchange calendars

  Learn how to manage the functionality of your Microsoft Outlook and Exchange calendars, and discover tools, best practices and troubleshooting advice.  Continue Reading

• Part 1: How Microsoft Exchange Direct Push technology works

  Learn how Microsoft Exchange Direct Push technology works and how it uses HTTPS and "heartbeat messages" to synchronize email to mobile devices.  Continue Reading

• Enabling incoming email functionality in SharePoint

  Learn how to install the SMTP service to enable inbound email on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 from Exchange Server 2007.  Continue Reading

• Step 7: Set up Edge Transport server advanced content-filtering features

  Learn how to set up Edge Transport server puzzle validation feature and block incoming and outgoing email attachments by filename or the file extension type.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Install the Edge Transport server

  Get step-by-step instructions for installing an Edge Transport server in an Exchange 2007 environment.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Create an Edge Subscription

  An Edge Transport server needs an Edge Subscription to access Active Directory data. Learn how to set one up and caveats you need to watch out for before deploying.  Continue Reading

• How to install and configure an Edge Transport server for Exchange 2007

  Learn how an Edge Transport server for Exchange 2007 works, and get step-by-step instructions on how to install and configure one to filter spam, viruses and unauthorized content from your organization's incoming and outgoing email.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Replicate Active Directory data to the Edge Transport server

  Learn how, when and what information gets replicated from Active Directory to an Edge Transport server via the ADAM partition and how to force a manual EdgeSync synchronization.  Continue Reading

• Step 5: Verify communication between the Edge Transport server and Hub Transport server

  Learn how to verify that an Edge Transport server is communicating properly with the Hub Transport server and that a send connector was created successfully.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: How an Edge Transport server works

  Learn how an Edge Transport server works to secure your email environment and how it communicates with Windows Active Directory and other Exchange 2007 server roles.  Continue Reading

• Step 6: Configure Edge Transport server email filtering agents

  Learn how to filter Exchange 2007 email via the Edge Transport server by: sender and recipient, IP address, Sender ID, sender reputation, and content like custom words, exceptions and actions.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Configure Microsoft Operations Manager to monitor Exchange Server

  In Step 4 of "How to set up MOM for Exchange Server," learn how to deploy the MOM agents and Management Pack you need to monitor Exchange Server from Microsoft Operations Manager.  Continue Reading

• How to set up Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) for Exchange Server monitoring

  Learn how to set up Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 to monitor Exchange Server 2003 performance, interpret the results and display them in an easy-to-understand manner.  Continue Reading