Setup Outlook 2003 for Microsoft Exchange

Microsoft Outlook 2003 can connect over port 443, using RPC over HTTP (HTTPS to be technically correct) to our Microsoft Exchange 2003 servers. This is the recommended method for Outlook 2003 on Windows XP as it bypasses firewall issues.

Section A - Pre-requisites:

  1. Microsoft Windows XP: Home or Professional edition
  2. Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP: use Windows' Auto Update or download from here
  3. Microsoft Outlook 2003 installed with the latest Service Packs & patches: Click here to check for updates. NOTE: Make sure that you have your original MS Office CD's before doing this!
  4. If you have SP2 or if you, skip to step #5. If you have SP1, install both patches below for Windows XP:
    1. Windows XP RPC Patch - download here and select "Open"
    2. Windows XP Patch #2 - download here and select "Open"
  5. Your Outlook setup information with your username, password, server name, etc. This can be found in either the the welcome setup e-mail or you can log into the Cambrig Control Panel (my.cambrig.co.uk) and click on "View Outlook Setup Info."
  6. A working connection to the Internet -- You will not be able to fully configure the software unless your system can connect to the mail server.

Section B - Configuration:

  1. Close Microsoft Outlook if it is open.
  2. Download and run the pre-setup software. Click on this link - http://www.cambrig.co.uk/exchange/Downloads/OLSetup.exe and select "Open". Follow the prompts to finish the setup. Make sure that the "Use VPN" checkbox is not checked.
  3. Click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen.
  4. Depending on your system, either select Control Panel or select Settings and then Control Panel.
  5. Double-click on the Mail icon. If you do not have this icon, then click on "Show Classic View" on the top left and the Mail icon will now appear in the list. If it still does not appear and you see at least 25 icons, then you need to launch Microsoft Outlook directly from Start -> Programs.
  6. In the Window that opens, click the E-mail Accounts button.
  7. Select "Add a new e-mail account" and click Next.
  8. E-Mail Accounts: Server Type: Select Microsoft Exchange Server, click Next.
  9. E-Mail Accounts: Exchange Server Settings:
    • Microsoft Exchange Server: ("Exchange Server" - from A-5 above, e.g.: "MAIL001" or "BE001". Do not add ".mail.lan"! )
    • Use Cached Exchange Mode: leave this box checked
    • User Name: <your e-mail address - e.g. YourName@YourDomain.com>
    • Click on More Settings
    • After 30-90 seconds, it will time out and you will get a message similar to this: Outlook could not log on. OR The action could not be completed. The connection to the Microsoft Exchange Server is unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action. *This is normal* - click on the OK button
    • A new window will open, which asks for "Microsoft Exchange Server" and "Mailbox". Click on the Cancel button
  10. Microsoft Exchange Server: A new window will open, which has 5 tabs starting with "General"
    • Click on the Advanced tab
    • Use Cached Exchange Mode: check box
    • Download Public Folder Favorites: check box
    • Click on the Apply button
    • Click on the Connection tab
    • Check the box for Connect to my Exchange mailbox using HTTP
    • Click on the Exchange Proxy Settings button. (If you don't see this button, then you haven't run the Windows XP RPC Patch - see Pre-requisite #4 at top of this page.)
  11. Exchange Proxy Settings:
    • https://: RPC.MyOutlookOnline.com (no spaces anywhere)
    • Connect using SSL only: check box
    • Mutually authenticate the session when connection with SSL: check box
    • Principal name for proxy server: msstd:RPC.MyOutlookOnline.com
    • On fast networks, connect using HTTP first, then connect using TCP/IP: check box
    • On slow networks, connect using HTTP first, then connect using TCP/IP: check box
    • Use this authentication when connecting to my proxy server for Exchange: Basic Authentication
    • Click the OK button
    • Click the OK button


  12. E-Mail Accounts: Exchange Server Settings:
    Click on Check Name - this may take 30-90 seconds
  13. Connect to MAIL001 window pops up:
    • User name: <your e-mail address - e.g. YourName@YourDomain.com>
    • Password: <your password>
    • The server name and user name should now be underlined. If not, double-check both in your welcome e-mail and that you have internet connectivity
    • Click on the Next button. You will get the Connect to mail001 window again - use the same info as above
  14. If you had already setup Outlook to receive mail using a Personal Folder on your laptop, the system will warn you that mail from Exchange Server will be delivered to the Personal Folder and ask if you want to continue. Click Yes.
  15. Click Finish.
  16. Click E-mail accounts button again.
  17. Select "View or change existing e-mail accounts" then click Next.
  18. IMPORTANT: At the bottom of the window, you will see an item that says "Deliver new e-mail to the following location". Make sure that this is set to Mailbox - Name, where name is your name. Do NOT set it to be Personal Folder, otherwise your mail will be removed from the server and it will only be kept on your computer.
  19. Click Finish.
  20. Click OK.
  21. You're ready to use Outlook! Every time you start Outlook, you will be prompted to logon with your username & password.