I suspect this post has a very small audience, although I suspect that goes for the blog as a whole. Anyway, what follows is a step by step instruction for using Outlook 2003 to read your Lotus Notes email.
h3. Assumptions
This has been tested and works for Windows XP, Lotus Notes 6.5.4 (although the MS bridge should work for Release 5 and up), using Outlook 2003.
h3. Download the Microsoft Conntector
It’s “available for free(Microsoft.com – Outlook 2003/2002 Add-in Notes Connector)”:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8EBBBA59-5F17-4E52-8980-C4F0DFA92D65&displaylang=en from Microsoft. It states it works for Outlook 2002 and 2003, for use with Notes release 5 or 6.
h3. Uninstall Microsoft hotfixes
It seems that Outlook 2003 security fix “KB892843”:http://www.microsoft.com/Downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1D156043-B041-4305-8442-3C4E3B832788&displaylang=en stops the connector from installing properly. Unless you remove it, you’ll get the error @”Unable to open your default e-mail folders. The server is not available.
Contact your administrator if this condition persists@. This hotfix is also included in some roll-up fixes, so I suggest you remove any and all Outlook related hotfixes. These hotfixes only affect the installation of the connector, so you can re-run Windows Update afterwards.
You can remove hotfixes from the Add/Remove program dialog – just make sure you have the @Show Updates@ checkbox ticked. The Outlook hotfixes will be listed under Microsoft Office.
h3. Install the connector
Shut down both Notes and Outlook. Double click the connector and follow the on screen instructions
h3. Set up Outlook to read your notes email
Start Outlook up. Select @E-Mail Accounts…@ from the @Tools@ menu. Select @Add a new email account@, click @next@, and select @Additional Server Types@ and click @next@ again. Depending on your configuration, you’ll be presented with several server type options. We want @Microsoft Offie Outlook Connector for IBM Lotus Notes Domino@. Click @next@. You’ll now be prompted to exit Outlook before the new account will be active.
Outlook should pick up your notes file automatically.
h3. Re-install the Oulook Hotfixes
As you wouldn’t want to forget that, would you 🙂
Anyway, that should be it. You’ll now have a slightly more usable way of accessing and sending you email, as well as working with calendars and your todo list. Note that you’ll be unable to read all notes email – those sent with high encruption levels (the ones you can’t send to non-notes email accounts and that can’t be forwared) will not show up, but you should get told that they can’t be transfered by the connector.
magpiebrain 
234 Responses to “Using Outlook 2003 to read Lotus Notes Email”
still waiting for a version of the Outlook connector that will work with Notes 7 – anybody?
I’m using the connector with Lotus Notes 7 without a problem. Did have to do the delete profile and recreate new one and removing the hotfixes. My biggest problem is how long the replications are and not being able to access the server email address book when I’m not online!
Thats using connector with Lotus 7 and Office 2003? or 2007
… still in search of a connector for 2007
In Outlook 2007, you can add an account setting to connect with Notes, but you cannot configure it (it keeps giving you the same error (0x8004011c)). I don’t know if this is “by design” or not. It seems that you won’t be needing a specific connector with outlook 2007, but it seems also that it is not fully developed yet.
I’ll keep trying and will post any god news
I read somewhere else that this connector:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=AA0AD3B0-E1A4-4990-A2BE-DDE78FED0709&displaylang=en
helps, but only if you go from Office 2003 to Office 2007
Havent had time to ruin my laptop yet………. needed it for work
Hi
Can I read the Archived file from lotus notes in Outlook express ???
Hi I really need help here. How do I get Outlook to synchronise with my LOCAL notes database, not the server version???
This fix rocks! All working now, thanks!
What did it fix for you?
Mark, the link is to a connector allowing management of Windows live Mail & the like. Unfortunately not what we need. I am not sure that we will even see an update to the connector. Read somewhere that there was not even an ‘if’ it is updated nevermind a ‘when’ it is likely to be done. Hopefully this is incorrect.
I was able to get the connector working again with Lotus Notes 7. I removed the email account from Outlook and readded it. Everything is working again!
Company just upgraded me to Office 2003 so the hotfixes are ‘packaged’ and cannot be deleleted and re-installed. So I cannot get the connector to work. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mark
OK, I see lots of great comments, but what I am looking for is the step by step to install the connector to work with a Lotus Notes 7 client – this is my work PC and I cannot afford to make a mistake and possible disable my e-mail functionality. Can someone post this, or would you mind if I contacted you directly for phone assistance on this?
Thanks in advance for considering this…
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I DID have to extra step, unloading the service pack for the Outlook Business Contact Manager patch, but then all went well…..
You all have made me a hero!
Hi, i have just started to use the lotus connector for outlook 2003, and its like i have got my life back after using iNotes!
BUT! im getting random blank emails sent to me? from both notes users, notes with outlook connection users and other outlook users…
any ideas??
Do you guys know, if this connector can open the lotus notes archive file?
I was recently laid off from work. I cleared out my Lotus mail folder, except for my personal mail, and then I saved my Lotus folder. Is there a way that I can open and view my Lotus mail in Outlook? If not Outlook, is there any way that I can just open and view my old mail?
I’ve installed the “Outlook Connector for Domino”, but from what I see so far, I also have to have Lotus installed and access to a Lotus database, of which I have neither.
I’ve seen, above, several people asking this same question. But if there were any responses then I’ve missed them. If it is NOT possible then please respond to this too.
Thanks,
Andrew
Andrew: You can try installing Domino Server trial version and Lotus notes client. If that is not possible you can convert your mails to outlook using a conversion program transend migrator (www.transend.com). There are others too but this one costs least ($50) and does a good job.
dm
Thanks. I’ll give the trail version a try and see what happens. I’ll post back here with the results. (But it will be a week or two. The holidays are going to be really busy.)
Have a very Merry Christmas and remember Christ is the reason-for-the-season.
Thanks again,
Andrew
Been using the connector successfully for about two years. I have noticed now that my .nst file is over 2GB. However, when I look at the folder size in Outlook, the InBox, which is all I have, is only about 400K. How can I reduce the size of this file? When I do an Outlook “Compact File”, nothing really happens.
I’ve deleted the file, and allowed Outlook to rebuild it next time, but then Outlook runs for awhile and mysteriously terminates.
Someone give me a nice Christmas present 🙂
Oh… Outlook 20003 and Notes 6.5
For those of you wondering about the link posted by Mark about a connector that is supposed to work with Outlook 2007, you can put your mind to rest, the connector is only for MSN Premium Subscribers. It doesn’t have anything to do with LotusNotes.
Since I was busy with re-install of my laptop, I installed from the posted link. As I suspected, it was just for MSN users. So don’t bother if you are not an MSN subscriber.
Please anyone, post any information regarding Outlook 2007 Connector for Domino in this blog. Thanks All.
– McAkins
—> Been using the connector successfully for about two years. I have noticed now that my .nst file is over 2GB. However, when I look at the folder size in Outlook, the InBox, which is all I have, is only about 400K. How can I reduce the size of this file? When I do an Outlook “Compact File”, nothing really happens.
I am having the same issue. Any help is appreciated!
Brett
Hi,
firstly what a great source of information, I’m hoping that someone can shed some light onto the problems I’m having.
Firstly I have follwed the guidance above and configured the connector and outlook and when started everything looks ok. an .NSF file is created and I can see all my notes mail and folders.
Now.
I have 2 issues
1 when I send a mail the it just sits in the outbox and never goes.
2 if I restart Outlook it terminated with the following
NSD is running.
Saving to C:Program fileslotusnotesdataXXXXXXXXXX.log
This file may be used by your company’s help desk and IBM to determine the possible cause of the Notes error. Etc..
This problem is cleared if I delete the .NSF file that was originall created but I obviously need a permanent solution.
Please help, I cant stand notes, I need my outlook 🙂
Neil.
Sorry I meant .NST files
Neil.
Hi,
I’ve now got things working using the IBM connector as reccomended in an earlier post, but in doing this it has answered a few queries above re *.pst files so I though I’d give a follow up.
This connector does transfer mail to a .pst outlook file
Neil.
Hi,
I still have problems with the connector. I coudn’t find the hotfixes installed for office so I reinstalled it, and reinstalled the connector. After that I was able to connect to the domino server and download my mails. So far so good :). But after I close the outlook and open it again the same error “Unable to open your default e-mail folders. The server is not available. Contact your administrator if this condition persists” keeps going and I can’t connect to the server anymore.
Does anyone knows how to fix it?
Ortal.
As someone that has been frustrated w/ Notes for a long time, it has been great to leverage Outlook via the Connector.
However, I have an issue that I’m wondering if anyone on this board has experienced and, more importantly, has a solution to propose…
First, my experience is that when I receive a meeting invite through the Connector into Outlook, if I accept it, eventually I’ll have two identical appointments in my Outlook calendar. My sense is that when I accept, the first instance is populated into my Outlook calendar. Then, when the Connector syncs Outlook with Lotus Notes, an entry is populated in my Notes calendar, which somehow then creates a second instance of the meeting in my Outlook calendar. On top of that, if I delete one of the two identical entires in Outlook, the Connector eventually syncs w/ Notes, Notes deletes the single entry in its calendar, and then the Connector eventually syncs back w/ Outlook and deletes the second instance of the Outlook calendar entry. Net, I either have to live w/ two idential meeting entries in Outlook or none. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
First off on my microsoft outlook 2003 i set 2 email accounts up correctly a yahoo and a hotmail. when i try to do anything it brings up my login, fine but when i enter my name + password and hit ok it just keeps coming up again therefore not logging me in so i cant do anything.
Then on my computer i had office 2000 right well i tryed to install updates and it told me the expected version wasnt found so i couldnt update it. GUESS WHAT office 2003 does the same thing
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!
i got outlook 2003 working, no luck with the update prob yet. my yahoo account was stolen the other day as well they r doing s*** to help me, pass reset cant find account with info i typed+their automated email they sent(supposed to be person)was totally all viewable on their site all info on it covered on their site duma****
Connector works with Notes 5.x and 6.x. I’m on Notes 7.x. Any word on a 7.x connector? Will the existing connector work?
I am using it with Notes 7. It works most of the time. But sometimes I have to reinstall it. My routine is:
1. Uninstall Outlook Hotfixex, as pointed out above
2. If reinstalling – delete earlier profiles and .nst data files from the outlook folders
3. Disable Norton Anti Virus/ Internet Security / Desktop search tools (X1, MSN…) before installing Outlook connector.
4. Install connector, but do not select the option for starting the application
5. Cretate a new Outlook profile and new account using Microsfot Outlook Connector, as specified above, and choose a new .nst data file
6. Ensure you are connected to Internet or network before starting the Outlook
7. Start the Outlook with the new profile, and you should be seeing your mails
8. Enable NAV/NIS.
9. Start Desktop engines but ensure Outlook connector Notes profile (or .nst folder) is excluded from search (otherwise Outlook connector keeps crashing)
10. Reapply Outlook Hotfixes…
DM
Before I do anything I shouldn’t do according to my company ; will this process work with Outlook Express?
I am new to Notes and so looking around at what options are available to get me back into the Outlook comfort zone. I seem to be missing the point though with this connector. As I see it you need to install Notes first then install Outlook. This seems like a duplication of both software and costs associated with the licenses so you are gaining a better UI but it is costing you the same as it would for notes plus the outllook client cost.
How do you determine the exact spelling of the Company name used in Lotus Notes that when you create the initial connector settings it will connect properly?
Hi folks,
I repaired my Outlook installation and my Lotus notes connection stopped working.
My original installation was the connector under Outlook 2002. Office was then upgraded to 2003, and this Lotus connection was retained.
When trying to reconnect to Lotus Notes, I tried all of the great information shared above without success.
Eventually the following worked:
1. Delete my pocket pc partnership with this computer
2. Uninstall the Outlook to Lotus Notes Connector.
3. Placed everything in Document & Settings/User/Local Settings/Application Data/Microsoft/Outlook in a new folder for back up, and emptied folder.
4. Uninstalled Office (this drastic step was taken because removing hotfixes suggested elswhere brought no joy).
5. Reboot
6 Kept Lotus Notes installation.
7. Found file: Documents and Settings[username]Local SettingsApplication DataLotusNotesData with my lotus user name and .id extension.
8. Opened [lotususername].id in notepad and searched text for the following: “CN=”, then “OU=” and then “O=”. Wrote down the values that equaled those codes which mean User Name, Organization Unit and Organization.
9. Reinstalled Office 2003 from disk.
10. Installed outlook connector and entered User Name and Organization name found in [lotususername].id when prompted.
11. Ran Outlook and added new email account per these steps: “Start Outlook up. Select E-Mail Accounts… from the Tools menu. Select Add a new email account, click next, and select Additional Server Types and click next again. Depending on your configuration, you’ll be presented with several server type options. We want Microsoft Office Outlook Connector for IBM Lotus Notes Domino. Click next. You’ll now be prompted to exit Outlook before the new account will be active.”
12. Open Lotus Notes and wait until database replication is complete.
13. Open Lotus Notes and under FileSecurity[enter Lotus Notes password]USER SECURITY:SECURITY BASICS, I unchecked “Login to Notes using your operating system login”
14. Opened Outlook, entered Lotus Notes Password when prompted for password and checked the “remember password” box.
15. Let Outlook synchronize with Lotus notes for the first time (can take a while).
16. Re-establish Pocket PC partnership.
17. Ran Office/Outlook Service Pack Updates for Office 2003
I hope these steps might help someone.
Joseph,
Thanks for posting your detailed list. I’m in the midst of something similar, and your post will be very helpful.
I have a question for you. Does your PocketPC partnership work? Are you using ActiveSync to sync Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks to your PocketPC? My partnership stopped working regularly (it works sometimes) as soon as I started using the Connector. I researched this on the web and learned that ActiveSync does not work if one is using the Connector. So, I’m curious to see what your experience has been.
Thanks, STEVE
Can someone please address the issue of having Outlook taking 20 mins before fully functional? it is downloading everything, everytime, and it is making me crazy. Also, I get meeting reminders as well each time I start Outlook. I dismiss all, and it happens the next time…. thoughts??
Thanks!
Paula,
I had this issue as well and was working with a MSFT tech support person to fix it. Since I hadn’t receieve a solution, I decided to try the IBM connector (Domino Access for Microsoft Outlook). I’ll have to say…it works great. It took a few hours to fully replicate, as I have a large mail box, but since then it replicates in seconds. Upon startup, Outlook opens and is immediately ready for use.
I haven’t experienced any negative issues with the IBM product. Hope this helps. STEVE
Thanks Steve, I guess I just need to be patient and let it replicate all the way through. I am not sure if it has something to do with the fact that my company stores emails on the lotus notes servers. I do not think they are downloading to my actual drive. I also have an issue with old calendar reminders showing up each time, even though I click dismiss all, everytime I start up Outlook it pops them up….
Thanks again for the response, hopefully waiting for the full download will help. But call it a gut feeling I don’t think it will. I might have to delete some emails to make this work, but I save everything from work… *sigh*
Have a great week!
Paula
Hi,
I’ve been using outlook 2003 with Lotus Notes 7 client. Synchronising works fine but when sending mail from outlook, the recipients only get a blank mail. The sent mail in my outlook & lotus notes client shows the full content.
Any ideas as to what could be the problem?
You are a legend!!! After 2 months its finally fixed!
Just for the record – Lotus sucks and that includes Notes, 123, etc!!! They need to get their act together and revamp the programs to bring them into the 21st Century
a friend in IT set up my Domino connector. it works just ok. I am considering deleting the email account in Outlook though. The most critical prob is that 20% of the emails are totally blank. No data in lotus, webmail, OR outlook. The path and everything is disappeared. I don’t WANT to delete my domino account b/c searching for emails in outlook is sooo much more efficient in outlook. I haven’t read anything in the post about blank emails.
HI All,
I am having problems with my Outlook 2003 client and I think it is related to the fact I have the connector running because after the initial sync (what a pain) the memory goes crazy and eats up the entire 2.5gb I have and then the system crashes. If I kill Outlook everything runs fine.
I am also having the SVCHOST.EXE issue reported by so many people.
My problems started when I installed MS Live Search with the Outlook component over the weekend. I have removed all that I can find and even the desktop search but nothing is working.
I need to get my Outlook working again. I have considered removing the connector, removing the Outlook security patch, rebooting and then installing the connector again. Does anyone have any idea if that is worth while or if it has a chance to fixing things?
I am looking for any ideas you very smart people out there may have. Since I moved into a management position, I don’t seem to have the technical capabilties, or mindset, that I once had…. *sigh*
Thanks,
Perry J
i would like to ask why if am checking my emails using webmail, the mail was there.
when i check my email using outlook express, i cannot pop down any of my old emails. i did check the settings “leave a copy on the server”. but still facing the same problem..in webmail i can view my old emails, but using outlook as email client, i am unable to retrieve all the old mails.
Hi all
I think that the outlook connector is one of the most useful programs I’ve ever used.
Anyway, I have the following problem: When I read a message coming from out of my organization, my account is sending out a blank message. I don’t know if this is a connector’s bug of there is a problem in the lotus server. Anyway, some customers have already complained about my blanks messages.
I’m running windows xp pro sp2, outlook 2003 sp2, lotus notes 6.5.3 and outlook connector 2.0.4007.0.
Anyone facing the same problem? Any suggest?
thanks for this post!
I’ve been using an IBM product called Domino Access for Microsoft Outlook (DAMO in short) which has the same effect, but has one disadvantage.
DAMO is acting as a mirror of the lotus email file, so what ever email is being saved the the current profile (same PST file) is also going to be copied over to the lotus file, which is a big problem for me since I’m using the same outlook profile for other emails too and would want it to show up in outlook.
before i try this Microsoft product, can you tell me if it will keep the emails separate (not copying it over to lotus)?
Why does lotus notes still have to be open when I am using this tool? Whenever I try to open Outlook without having lotus notes open, I get an error message that says “Your ID file can’t be opened. Start the Lotus Notes client, configure your account, and then start Outlook Connector for Domino.”
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
In response to post 145, I believe the problem is that some people use clients that can’t handle Rich Text or HTML messages or can’t handle certain fonts within those messages. Try sending your message as Plain Text to those people who previously reported seeing a blank message and see if they receive that OK.
…Joe
You are seriously awesome!
Worked perfectly just as you said, now its time to update my Microsoft Office.
Seriously appreciate the tutorial and information. No more Lotus Notes Email making 5 trips to the server on HUGE files. This will definitely save me time! Thank you!!!!
I am using Lotus 6.x and Office 2007…I am running fine with the DAMO outlook connector after creating a MAPI profile for myself.
The only problem that I face is that whatever mails I sent through outlook do not get saved on the sent items on the server and I am not able to see them either in webmail or lotus except Outlook.
Its my office computer and runs on Win XP SP2…anybody who can help on this???