Table of Contents

Zimbra with Outlook

See also Troubleshooting Outlook

:!: Outlook can connect to a Zimbra server in three different ways:

  1. ActiveSync
    • New feature in Outlook
    • Great for mobile devices
    • Syncs mail, contacts, calendars and tasks
    • Server-side message store
  2. IMAP
    • Syncs only mail
    • Server-side message store
  3. POP
    • Oldest protocol
    • Does not sync
    • Only downloads unread messages in Inbox folder
    • Client-side message store

:!: When working with Outlook accounts, you can use the Control Panel applet Mail to manage Outlook profiles and accounts.

ActiveSync (Exchange)

:!: Newer versions of Outlook (2013 & 2016) support the ActiveSync protocol.

:!: Unlike other protocols, ActiveSync can synchronize mail, contacts, calendars and tasks.

New ActiveSync Account

:!: Sometimes it is best to create a new Outlook Profile, then add an account to the new profile.

From Windows Control Panel → Mail:

  1. E-Mail AccountsNew
  2. Select Manual setup
    1. Click Next
  3. Select Exchange ActiveSync
    1. Click Next
  4. Modify the settings as per the image
    • User name is full e-mail address
    1. Click Next
  5. Close the test window
  6. Click Finish

Control Panel - Mail

Outlook 2016 Add Account - Manual Setup

Outlook 2016 Add Account - ActiveSync

Outlook 2016 Add Account - Settings

Outlook 2016 Add Account - Test

Outlook 2016 Add Account - Finished

Modify Existing AS Account

From within Outlook:

  1. FileAccount SettingsAccount Settings again
  2. Select the Zimbra ActiveSync account → Change
    • User name is full e-mail address

Outlook 2016 Accounts

Outlook 2016 Account Settings

Outlook 2016 Change Account

IMAP

:!: Microsoft Outlook support for the standard IMAP protocol is much improved in newer versions (Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016 and newer).

:!: DO NOT make any spelling errors! The vast majority of problems come from spelling errors.

:!: If you find yourself struggling to get a new account working, delete the account completely, then restart Outlook and try again.

From within Outlook:

  1. FileAccount SettingsAccount Settings again
  2. Select the Zimbra IMAP account → Change
  3. Modify the settings as per the image
  4. Select More SettingsOutgoing Server (tab)
    1. Select My outgoing server requires authentication
    2. Select Use same settings as my incoming mail server
  5. Select Advanced (tab)
    1. Modify the settings as per the image

Outlook 2016 File Menu

Outlook 2016 Account Settings

Outlook 2016 IMAP Settings

Outlook 2016 Outgoing SettingsOutlook 2016 Advanced Settings

Zimbra Shared Calendar in Outlook

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-zimbra-calendar-outlook-60726.html

:!: Tested on Outlook 2013 using EAS (Exchange Active Sync) and should be same for 2016. Outlook version must be 2013 or higher.

Share a Calendar

First you must share a calendar using the Zimbra Web Client (ZWC):

  1. Click the Calendar tab
  2. Right-click any calendar (upper left) and select Share Calendar
  3. Configure the share settings appropriately for your needs

Copy the Calendar URL

After the calendar is configured correctly and tested, copy the URL to be used in Outlook:

  1. Click the Calendar tab
  2. Right-click the shared calendar (upper left) and select Edit Properties
  3. Under the URL section, right click the URL next to Outlook and select Copy link location

Add the Calendar to Outlook

  1. In Outlook, select File → Info
  2. Select Account Settings → Account Settings
  3. Click on the Internet Calendars (tab) → New
  4. Paste the copied URL into the location field using Ctrl-V and click Add
  5. Edit the Folder Name as desired and click OK then Close
  6. Under Calendars → Other Calendars, tick the box next to the shared calendar.

Zimbra Connector for Outlook

Download: https://mail.yourdomain.com/zimbra/downloads/index.html

User Guide: https://www.zimbra.com/docs/ne/8.6.0/zcs_connector_for_user_guide

Admin Guide: https://www.zimbra.com/docs/ne/8.6.0/zcs_connector_for_outlook_guide

The connector will run on various versions of Windows and with various versions of Outlook, but you should check before installing. See the first pages of either manual.

Simplified Account Creation

Newer versions of Outlook 2016 may not present the EAS account type during account setup.

See also Troubleshooting Outlook

 Outlook 2016  Simplified Account Creation Doesn't Offer EAS Account Type