Jan 30, 2014

Planning to buy MAC-Outlook? Have a look at flaws of MAC-Outlook



Microsoft releases MAC outlook as a replacement of Entourage application. MAC outlook email application proves as a boon for all MAC users. Every application has both perspectives i.e. good and bad. Same is applicable to MAC Outlook. While dealing with user faces few common issues explained below:
 
Errors with Identity:
Identities are the store house of email messages, contacts and calendars.  I can say Identities’ are just a database of our email account. Management of Identities’ are must because once they got corrupt then user must lost their important data i.e. so horrible. While using MAC-Outlook user usually receives error "Identity could not be open with this version of Outlook for Mac.

Emails get stuck: When user tries to send message got stuck in Outbox. According to user mail has been sent. Mainly this problem occurs because of communication issue between mail server and mail client. This type of issue usually common with all users of Outlook for Mac
 
Synchronization Availability:
 Smart phones are considered best for their synchronization features. But what if smart phone fails to performs synchronization operation. This issue noticed with OS X Mountain Lion. While synchronizing Apple Mail with server it was observed that Apple did not support for Sync Services. While using features of Sync Services user usually face this problem.
 
Emails Duplicity with Gmail accounts
Outlook and Gmail both are different email clients and have their own rule book. User must attentive while running Gmail rule book on their system as this s book creates problem with Outlook account. To apply rules user must create a new rule book created with the help of Gmail’s web interface

Issues with Product Key:  We all are aware of fact that MAC-Outlook is bundled with MS-Office. It is very obvious if user buy product key for MS-office then inevitably key must work for Outlook. But realism is different as user has to buy different product key for MAC-Outlook. This problem mainly works with users of Student and Home edition Mac.
 
Synchronization issue with MAC
Outlook for MAC is a good application for all MAC users but have drawbacks also. While using MAC user is facing issues with synchronization of calendars and contacts. It is very obvious issue as Outlook for MAC does not support CalDAV or CardDAV. Even icloud Mail is also not supported by MAC Outlook. This issue must be resolve very soon as calendars and contacts are very important of every conversation. Moreover if user also it is not possible to synchronize Gmail calendar with MAC Outlook

Resize Problem
While sending message to user tries to send images as attachments. It is not necessary image received by user is compatible with version of MS-Outlook. This generates need for resizing of picture. Unfortunately to send picture user is in need to resize them before attaching them to Outlook.
 
Email Duplicity
User is aware of fact that there is a communication between both email server and mail client. Because of this communication user is able to send and receive messages. But some time there persists a problem when there is presence of duplicate emails in Sent items folders. This duplicity occurs because both mail server and Outlook add copies of same messages to Sent items folder. User can resolve this issue by following few steps:
•    Point to Outlook  switch on Preferences
•    Choose Accounts  and  select the IMAP account
•    Switch to  Advanced Tab  and select  Folders
•    Now select option entitles as’ Don't store a copy of sent messages’.
 
Signature Replacement
Outlook for Mac does not automatically support a way to replace a signature with another signature in the e-mail message. When you add a new signature in an attempt to replace an old one, Outlook for Mac appends the new signature instead of replacing it. To replace the signature, you must manually delete the original signature from the e-mail message.
Steps to unsubscribe from Mail folders
•    Switch to Tools Menu
•    Select IMAP Folders (Gmail)
•    Now click on All Mail
•    Click Unsubscribe.
Show Mobile Me email account does not automatically configure in Outlook for Mac 2011 after the Office for Mac 2011 SP2 update

Synchronization issue of Hot mail Folders with MAC
For POP account user (Hot Mail) it is really tough to synchronize their contacts and calendars. As these type of account does not support for contacts and calendars.
 
Absence of Import FeaturesUsers of Mountain Lion are unable to import their Apple Mail data in to MAC Outlook2011. There is absence of Import feature in Mac mail system. To import MAC Mail data user need to use third party tool.
 
Color Coding Issue
Notifications play a very important role in every mail box. It seems good if user get notification for every activity happening in their account. Mac mail is bundled with feature of calendar sharing. But it has a disadvantage also. It does not give any intimation if users share their calendar with anyone. Also it is not possible for user to change color of shared calendars.
 
Editing in Hyperlink
While working with email it is very obvious we received emails with attachments. Not only attachments also text associated with hyperlinks. Last time I tried to insert hyperlink in text but fails to do so. After brain storming of few hours I came to know that there is need to insert full URL address that includes http:// also.
 
Issues with Email Messages:-
Emails are considered as safest mode of communication. MAC Outlook uses ‘User Data Folder’ and stores all information in form of Identity. Identity works as database to keep back up of mail account. But what if these Identities come in invisible mode, then this will be a big loss for users. This is also considering as a big flaws for User of MAC-Outlook.

After reading above issues user must think before installing MAC Outlook2011 as email application.

Jan 24, 2014

How to deal with sluggish behavior of Mac Outlook 2011?

Outlook for Mac is a great and improved application for all Outlook lovers using MAC operating system. Previously Mac users are using Entourage application before release of Mac-Outlook. Mac Outlook 2011 has variety of advance features like:
•    New HTML editor
•    Sharing of Resources become easy
•    Outlook 2011 support Time Machine
•    Outlook 2011 provides preview of mailboxes

Best advantage of using MAC-Outlook is its import feature. User can easily use their MS-Outlook PST files in their MAC-Outlook application. Everything has both aspects i.e. good or bad. Same is true for Mac-Outlook2011 sometimes its performance gets sluggish and shows unexpected errors. In my post, I will describe most common errors face by Mac Outlook users.

While working with MAC Outlook user usually sees Outlook become unresponsive and starts showing error “Outlook has encounter a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for inconvenience”. Once you restart Outlook application and start working on it continuously for 10-15 min, Outlook gets crash repetitively. This is really very frustrating.To resolve this error follow below mentioned steps:
 
Resolve MS-Outlook Error


Step 1: To resolve this error firstly Close All Application running on Mac system. May be user will face problem while closing all application like MS-World for MAC, MS-Excel for MAC. In this case user needs to close application forcefully.
•    Go to application toolbar and select option ’Force Quit’
                                                           
                                                                

NOTE: If still user is unable to so do then follow these steps
•    Go to command and Option Keys
•    Select Esc key from keyboard
                                                                      
                                                     

•    A pop up will appear entitle as "Force Quit Application"
•    Select application user wish to close
   
                                                                  


•    After completion of process move to upper –left corner and click on red button
•    Move to desktop and select Outlook Preferences

Step 2: How to move Outlook Preferences to desktop?
To move the Outlook Preferences to the desktop, follow these steps:
•    Close all running application and point cursor to Go menu
•    Select option Home and open Library
Additional Info:Mac OS x Lion user unhide the Library folder. TO unhide the folder, hold option key from keyboard and click on Go menu
 Drag the underwritten files to desktop categorized under open preferences
com.microsoft.Outlook.plist
com.microsoft.outlook.database_daemon.plist
com.microsoft.outlook.database_utility.plist
com.microsoft.outlook.office_reminders.plist
com.microsoft.Outlook.SyncServicesPreferences.plist
NOTE: It may be possible user is unable to find any above mentioned file. Need not to worryall these files depend on Outlook.
•    Now again start Outlook application and check whether this error occurs or not
Proceed if error is not occurring. Error is persisting because of files user is moving. Perform following activities to separate file
a)    Close outlook application and reset file to original location
b)    Start Outlook application
If still error reoccurs because of file moved by user then transfer file to Trash.
Now check again whether error occurs or not. If yes then continue repeating the step ‘a’ & ’b’ to separate the file.
User found still error is present then repeat step ‘a’ and ‘b’ and proceed for next step.
•    Close all running application and point cursor to Go menu
•    Select option Home and open Library
Additional Info:  Mac OS x Lion user unhide the Library folder. To unhide the folder hold option key from keyboard and click on Go menu
•    Open Preferences
 NOTE:  For user of service pack 2 installed go for Application instead of Preferences
Start Microsoft and then Open Office2011 and drag following to desktop
        Outlook Preferences and Office SyncPrefs
Repeat the process mentioned above till user find file (Preference file)

Step 3: Move the Microsoft User data folder to desktop folder
Microsoft user data folder holds all user information as well as database of Outlook of MS-Office. Following are steps to find move Microsoft user data
•    Close all running application and point cursor to Go menu
•    Choose option Documents and drag all Microsoft user Data folder to desktop
•    Start Outlook application
•    If user found still problem persist then choose a different account to test Outlook application
 
Step 4: Create a different user account to test Outlook application.
NOTE: May be user is thinking why there is need to create a different account to test application. It may be possible, account user is using to test application is corrupt. That’s why it is advised to test changes from different application

Step 5: If still error occurs then user must install and download latest updates of Mac Outlook application
Microsoft update will fix the various errors automatically even when user is busy in performing Outlook activities.
•    Start MAC office application
•    Move cursor to Help menu
•    Select option Check for Updates
•    Open window entitle as check for Updates in ‘Microsoft Auto Update’ dialog box
Now, restore all data from the OLM files i.e. backup of Outlook database
I hope above mentioned steps will resolve user problem easily. In case, still problem persist then user must go for technical expert or Microsoft help section.


Jan 21, 2014

Handy way to move Windows Live mail data to MS-Outlook


Emails are the most common and dependable way for transmission of information. In market,there is various email application services provider present but most favorable among users is Microsoft. We can’t deny the fact that Microsoft email applications are easy to use and handle.  Moreover user needs not to pay any extra amount to use email application as these are categorized under MS-Office package of windows.

 Technology is getting advance with the increasing demands of user. Every user demands for application which is multitasking. How good it is if user is able to keep an eye on their social media accounts using their desktop email application. Microsoft meets the user demands by launching new updated version of Outlook considered as Outlook 2013. MS-Outlook 2013 is bundled with variety of new features that simply forces a user to say WOW! After having a look on new and vast features of MS-Outlook every user will decide to change their email application platform. I know user must search for a solution to change their email application. Ahh! No need to go anywhere. In my post I will share all necessary steps that user must take to migrate their data from WLM to Outlook. Here. I am taking windows live mail in to consideration Following are steps to switch from Windows Live Mail to MS-Outlook application
Step to move Stuff from Windows Live Mail to MS-Outlook
•    Start on both applications Windows Live Mail and MS- Outlook.
•    Move cursor to Windows Live Application and target File Menu
•    Point to ‘File’ Menu pick option ‘Export’ and click on ‘Email messages’.
•    Firstly select the format labeled as ‘Microsoft Exchange’ and proceed.
•    Wait till all email messages exported to MS-Outlook or Exchange
•    Continue the process
•    MS-outlook provides options to export all mail folders or few selected folders. Choice is users. User can enable the button according to their convenience
•    After selection of button wait till process completed
•    After completion of process a dialogue box will appear holding message for Export completion process
NOTE: Outlook 2013 must be of 32 bit to complete export process from Windows Live Mail or Outlook Express.
Steps to Export contact from WLM to Outlook2003 using Outlook2010:
To perform this function user has to follow both process i.e. Import and Export. Firstly there is need to export contacts in a .csv file and to use contacts in MS-Outlook user need to use Import option.
1.    Start Windows Live Mail application
2.    Open up Contacts folder and Choose.CSV file from Export option
3.    ‘CSV Export Window’ holds a Browse button. choose’ Browse’ button to select Desktop folder
4.    Save the file by entering the file name i.e. ‘WLM Contacts’.
5.    Export the fields that user select
6.    Wait for Export process to be completed
7.    Close Windows Live Mail application
8.    Start Microsoft Outlook application
9.    To import the contact folder that user select go to File Menu and Choose Import button
10.  Click on ‘Import from another program or file’ and do click on ‘NEXT’ button
11.  After selection of .csv files browse for WLM contact file created in above steps.
12.  Open the WLM Contacts files
NOTE: There are additional options to replace, duplicate, or do not import duplicated contacts.
13 User will see highlighted Contacts folder and in case if user is unable to see highlighted contacts folder then go and select the Contacts folder
14 Now, wait till Import process completed

Steps to Export contacts from WLM to Outlook2013
•    Repeat First 7 steps mentioned in above paragraph
•    Now, select the file and Open in Excel sheet
•    Move to Desktop folder and do right click to Show All Files
•    Open the WLMContacts.csv file created in earlier step and do click on Save As
•    Change the file type from to CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)
•   A dialogue box will appear ask for replace or overwrite the existing file or to keep the CSV format. Enable option YES
•    Close the Excel sheet
•    Now open your Outlook account
•    Open File option and do select Import/Export option
•    Click on ‘Import from another program or file’ and do click on ‘NEXT’ button
•    Highlight CSV file and browse for WLM contact.csv file
NOTE: There are additional options to replace, duplicate, or do not import duplicated contacts.
•    Go for your highlighted Contacts folder and proceed
•    Click on ‘Finish’ button to complete the process

Steps to Export calendar from WLM to Outlook2003 using Outlook2010
1.    Start Windows Live Mail and login to your Windows Live ID
2.    NOW, Select the calendar folder and double click on Send/ Receive button to synchronize calendar
3.    Close Windows Live Mail application
4.    Now visit the link given below http://calendar.live.com
5.    Go for share button and choose calendar user want to Export
6.    Now, choose the calendar item and create a one way link for items
7.    Send the created link to people with whom you share your calendar.
8.   Share your calendar link in case if user found calendar links are not available there then go for option”Get your calendar links”.
9.    Now choose option ICS: Import into another calendar application.
10.   Enter the URL in the URL bar: webcal:// prefix.
11.   Now, open the Internet Explorer window and by using copy command paste the URL without webcal:// prefix
12.    After that save the file calendar.ICS file
13.    Repeat the steps from 4 to 12 to export the calendar
NOTE: User also has option to make their calendar private again. For this they just need to change the following settings: ‘don’t share this calendar (keep it private)’
14.    After saving.ICS file close all Internet Explorer Tab.
15.    Now, Open MS-Outlook  application
16.    Point to File menu select the option Import an iCalendar (.ics) or vCalendar file (.vcs)
17.    Now, open your Desktop folder and choose file .ICS
18.    A dialogue box will appear containing Import option
19.    Select the Import button and wait till process completed

Steps to Export calendars from WLM to Outlook2013
1.    Start Windows Live Mail and login to your Windows Live ID
2.    This will also display your MS-Outlook account
3.    Select option share calendar and save the settings
4.    Select option ‘Send people a view-only link to your calendar’
5.    Go for ‘Get your calendar links’
6.    Now go with link who get grayed and select the part of calendar you want to display or share
7.    Now share the created link with the help of email. By doing so user will able to view calendar
8.    Import calendar data.
After execution of all above steps now user will easily change their email application platform. There is one more option to convert all EML files in to PST file format without any chance of data loss i.e. Third party tools. User can use third party tools to convert all precious data. One tool I suggest user to use Stellar Windows Live Mail to PST converter tool. To check efficiency of tool user must try its demo version available at website. 


Jan 16, 2014

Don’t Let Virus Hack Outlook Express

Desktop email clients are the most common vehicle to carry information from source to destination. Outlook Express is user friendly and have easy to use email application bundled with the windows operating system. Sometime Outlook Express put user is in horrible situation like

•    Outlook Express denied opening,
•    User received same mail twice,
•    Received email is blank & other lot of errors.

 All this misbehavior of outlook Express is because of virus attack.
Viruses are considered as most irritating programs for every application. Once they enter in application they have complete power to corrupt user system as well as application. The doorway for viruses is Internet. I know user is thinking Internet is backbone of technology it is not possible to work without internet.  Not to worry as Microsoft provided bundle of options for protecting Outlook Express account from virus attack. Have a look and choose best method according to user convenience.

Following are remedies

Disable HTML in Outlook Express 
Outlook Express 5 or 5.5 uses Internet Zone to enable active content. But Outlook Express6 uses Restricted Zone or Security Zone to enable active content. User can free their Outlook Express6 account from viruses by turn off the active zone settings. These settings are categorized under Security Zone Option. User can disable active content, Active X controls or scripts used by email messages to read out HTML messages. Use following steps to change Internet Settings 

Steps to change settings of Internet Explorer
1.    Open Up Outlook Express Application
2.    Head towards Tools menu and choose Options
3.    Enter into Security Tab
4.    Select one option wisely from Restricted Sites Zone or Internet Zone categorized under section Virus Protection
5.    Choose Internet Explorer security zone option
6.    Close the dialogue box
7.    Quit application Outlook Express
8.    Now head towards Internet Explorer

 
                                         
                 
9    Point to Tools menu choose  Option Internet Settings
                                          
            

10 Now select option security from the tool bar
                                                                                                                                                                        
                                       

11    Click on Custom Level categorized Under Security Zone     
        
                                                
12    Apply these settings to Outlook Express

NOTE: Apply these changes carefully as a small mistake leads to huge damage

May be user is thinking after disabling of HTML message how user will read out emails in plain Text. Don’t worry at all Microsoft provides option for that. User just needs to configure their Outlook Express with Service Pack1. This will resolve your problem

A question may be arising in user mind why there is need of using Service Pack1? Let me aware user that it is not possible always Outlook Express will read all emails in plain text format. There may be issues with plain text format after enabling settings of active content. Follow these steps to read out messages in Plain text without any hindrance
How to read Plain Text messages in Outlook Express
•    From the sub menu of Tools choose ‘options’
•    Select Read tab
•    Enable the checkbox entitle as rad all messages in plain text
•    Click OK

Filter All Email Attachments
Attachments are also considered as a source of viruses. Keep your mailbox safe by applying filters to your email received with attachments. Go for option ‘Unsafe File list’ categorized in Internet Explorer
1.    Open Up Outlook Express Application
2.    Head towards Tools menu and choose Options
3.    Enable check box ‘Virus Protection’ categorized under ‘Security Tab’
4.    Choose option “Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus”

NOTE: Outlook Express Service Pack 1 (SP1) user ignore this step as by default this option is already enabled. By applying above settings in Outlook Express6 account user mailbox will become safe as Internet Explorer will report for unsafe email attachment. User will not allow downloading email.

Additional Info: User needs to choose which type of file types should be blocked or removed from ‘Unsafe File List’
Follow these steps to Add or remove file types from Unsafe File List

1.    Open Control Panel
2.    Switch to Classic View
3.    Do double click on Folder Options
4.    Now Open File Types Tab and select the type of file
5.    Now select the type of file from the list that user want to block or allow
NOTE: If user found desired file extension is not available then user can add them by applying following steps

Steps to Add desired File Extension

1.    Under the File Type Tab click on Advance Settings
2.    Click on ‘NEW’ option
3.    In the Edit File Type dialog box add the name of file that user want to Add to ‘Unsafe file list’
4.    Now Click OK and then Click on Advanced Tab
5.    Adjust the settings of Check Mark to block or allow the changes
6.    Also enable the checkbox named as ‘Confirm open after download check box.

NOTE: By default Internet Explorer already listed .exe files in the unsafe list 
 
Amendments in Java Script:
How to disable java script for Internet Explorer?
1.    Open Outlook Express Application
2.    Point to Tools menu selects Security Tab
3.    Now enable the button Restricted Site option
4.    Again go to start button and open Control Panel
5.    Double Click on Internet Options applet
6.    Now click on button labeled as ‘Custom Level button’
7.    Disable the check box entitle as ‘Disable under the Active Scripting heading’

Prevent Application from sending email
Sometime Outlook Express uses IMAP client and due to this few virus come in to existence. These viruses start sending copy of mail containing viruses. But user can save their precious mailboxes from virus attack by applying following steps:
1.    Under the security Tab Enable the option ‘Warn Me’
2.    By using this option user get alert if any unwanted email message is sent from their email account

After implementing above mentioned steps user can run their Outlook Express safely and enjoy their work without any virus interruption