How To Configure Microsoft Exchange Email on Ubuntu

In the world of email servers, Microsoft Exchange is a dominant player. However, if you’re running Ubuntu, connecting to Exchange can be a bit tricky. This article will guide you through the process of configuring Microsoft Exchange Email on Ubuntu.

Introduction

Microsoft Exchange is a mail server and calendaring server developed by Microsoft. It’s a server program that runs on Windows Server and is part of the Microsoft Servers line of products. While it’s primarily designed for Windows, it’s possible to configure it on Ubuntu with a few tricks.

Option 1: Thunderbird with ExQuilla Plugin

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and open-source cross-platform email client. Here’s how you can configure it to work with Microsoft Exchange using the ExQuilla plugin.

Step 1: Install Thunderbird

First, you need to install Thunderbird. You can do this from the terminal with the following command:

sudo apt-get install thunderbird

This command uses the apt-get package handling utility to install the thunderbird package.

Step 2: Install ExQuilla

Once Thunderbird is installed, open it and go to Tools > Add-ons. Search for “ExQuilla” and install the plugin. After installation, you need to restart Thunderbird.

Step 3: Configure ExQuilla

After restarting Thunderbird, go to Tools and select ExQuilla for Microsoft Exchange. Here, you can add your Exchange account by entering your email address and password.

Please note that ExQuilla is a paid add-on, but a 60-day trial is available. Some users have reported issues with large mailboxes and slow performance with ExQuilla.

Option 2: Evolution

Evolution is another open-source email client that supports Microsoft Exchange. Here’s how to configure it.

Step 1: Install Evolution

First, install Evolution from the terminal with the following command:

sudo apt-get install evolution evolution-ews

This command installs both the evolution package and the evolution-ews package, which is the plugin for Microsoft Exchange Web Services (EWS).

Step 2: Configure Evolution

Open Evolution and add a new mail account. You’ll need to enter your email address, password, and the server address. Evolution should be able to auto-detect the server settings.

Option 3: Hiri

Hiri is an email client designed specifically for Microsoft Exchange and Office 365. It’s a paid software, but a trial is available.

Step 1: Install Hiri

Download the .deb package from the Hiri website and install it using the Ubuntu Software app.

Step 2: Configure Hiri

Open Hiri and add your Exchange account. The process is straightforward and similar to adding an account in Outlook.

Option 4: Outlook Web App (OWA)

If you don’t want to install any additional software, you can access your Exchange email through the Outlook Web App (OWA) in your web browser. Visit outlook.office365.com and log in with your Exchange account credentials.

Conclusion

Configuring Microsoft Exchange on Ubuntu may require a few extra steps, but it’s certainly doable. Whether you prefer Thunderbird, Evolution, Hiri, or just using OWA, you have several options at your disposal. Choose the one that best fits your needs and workflow.