You can use IMAP to access your mail hosted in Exchange Online, which allows you to continue using a non-Exchange mail client. Using Exchange this way is not optimal, however, since only "full Exchange" use (e.g. with Outlook or OWA) will give you the complete range of features that Exchange offers, such as integration with your Calendar and Lync.

Great! How can I set it up?

You would set up a new IMAP mail client just as you normally would - add a new Account using the IMAP and SMTP settings below.

  • The incoming IMAP mail server is outlook.office365.com with TLS/SSL (port 993).
  • The SMTP server is smtp.office365.com with STARTTLS (port 587).

What about meeting invitations and resource scheduling? What about using Distribution Lists?

If you primarily use IMAP, you will still want to set up Outlook (or use OWA or an Exchange-compatible mobile client) in order to accept and send meeting invitations and do resource scheduling.

In addition, some mailing lists (e.g. dept-list@bu.edu) are created as Distribution Lists on Exchange and, so, will only work if you write to them while using an Exchange-configured mail client. If you get a bounce-back message from a known-good mailing list address, it probably means that you need to use Outlook (or use OWA or an Exchange-compatible mobile client) in order to send to that address.

Can I use a mix of IMAP and "full Exchange" depending on where I am?

Sure! For example, you might use Outlook while at BU or on your phone, via IMAP when you're at home, and OWA when you are traveling. As described above, if you get a meeting invite while at home on IMAP, you would need to log in to OWA (or another Exchange-compliant client) in order to accept it.

I was migrated to Exchange from another server. Why can't I see my folders?

Those who were migrated to Exchange from another mail server might need to subscribe to their existing folders in order to see them in the IMAP client.

Will I have to use the VPN to read my Exchange IMAP email from off campus?

No. Use of IMAP with the recommended settings - SSL (port 993) - means that you will not need to use the VPN.