Client Software Choices
IT Connect > Software and Hardware > UW Exchange > Client Software
- On This Page
- Recommended Client Software Programs
- Outlook Web Access
- Exchange ActiveSync
- Smartphones with UW Exchange
- Blackberry
- Email-Only Client Software Programs
- Connecting to the UW Exchange Server
Recommended Client Software Programs
Different client software programs provide different feature sets in the Exchange 2010 environment, with Outlook 2010/2011 providing the richest user experience. The following summarizes recommended compatible versions of common email clients for use with Exchange 2010:
- Outlook 2010
- Outlook 2007 SP2
- Outlook 2011 (for Macintosh)
- Entourage 2008 WITH "Web Services Edition" update (e.g., vers 13+)
Other email client vendors claim the following are also compatible with Exchange 2010, though be aware that "your mileage may vary":
- Outlook 2003 (Note: Outlook 2003 should connect, but has significantly fewer working features than Outlook 2007 or 2010 and is not recommended)
- Apple Mail from OS X 10.6 (e.g., ver 4.3)
Microsoft offers a client compatibility matrix (open detail on "Clients")
For a summary of differences between Outlook 2010 for PC and Outlook 2011 for Mac, see Microsoft's Comparison of Features page.
Outlook Web Access (OWA)
Outlook Web Access (OWA) allows you to connect to the Exchange Server by using only a Web browser. No other client software is needed. OWA comes in two versions - Premium and Lite.
- The Premium version is supported on the following browers: Internet Explorer 7 and later, Firefox 3 and later, Safari 3 and later, and Chrome 1 and later.
- The Lite/Low Vision version offers limited features and is supported on any browser other than those listed above
For more information about OWA, see Microsoft's OWA 2010 Premium pages
For instructions on connecting to the Exchange Server using Outlook Web Access, see Outlook Web Access and UW Exchange.
Exchange ActiveSync
Many Smartphone devices use Exchange ActiveSync to connect to the Exchange 2010 server, such as iPhone, Windows Mobile, Android, etc.
Smartphones with UW Exchange
You may use a variety of "smartphones" to connect to your mail, calendar and contacts in your UW Exchange account.
For general Smartphone info see: itconnect/smartphones
Information specific to several devices is available:
Apple "IOS" (iPhone/iPod/iPad) with UW Exchange / Android devices with UW Exchange / Blackberry with UW Exchange / Palm with UW Exchange
Blackberry
Blackberry devices require an additional special service (Blackberry Enterprise Server) to fully connect with the Exchange system. Access to this service must be arranged through your local IT computing support team. There is an additional charge for this service.
Email-only Client Software Programs
Any email client software program that uses the IMAP protocol can work with UW Exchange. UW Exchange does not support the POP3 protocol.
POP3 and IMAP4 are two common mailbox access protocols used for Internet e-mail.
- POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) provides a message store that holds incoming e-mail until users log on and download it.
- IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) IMAP provides a message store that holds incoming e-mail until users log on and download it.
Thunderbird and Alpine/PC-Pine are popular IMAP email clients in use at the University of Washington.
When you connect to an Exchange server using the IMAP protocol, you get only email functionality. You do not get access to the other features of Exchange: calendar, tasks, and contacts. To get the full set of Exchange features, use an Exchange client software program, such as Outlook or Entourage.
For instructions on connecting to the UW Exchange server using several popular email-only client software programs, see IMAP Settings for UW Exchange.
Connecting to the UW Exchange Server
The links in this section provide information that you need to set up your client software program and start receiving email.
Setting Up Client Software
- Outlook 2010/2007 (under Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 7)
- Outlook 2007 (Vista and XP) and UW Exchange
- Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition (Macintosh)
- Outlook 2011 (Macintosh)
- Outlook Web Access (OWA)
- IMAP (email-only for any IMAP client program)
