Is there a lightweight desktop application to connect to an Exchange server to just get mail? Ideally, the app would be free.
I am looking to replace Outlook for something that loads quicker and takes up less memory, etc.
asked Jul 17, 2009 at 12:45
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9 Answers
I think you can use just about any mail clients to connect to Exchange and utilize POP3 or IMAP, but I don't know if you would get the full array of Exchange features.
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1Exchange only has IMAP and it has to be turned on. Commented Jul 17, 2009 at 13:06
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1@Daniel Since When? I have used Exchange for years both for POP3 and IMAP? We are even using it at work in testing on the Exchange 2010 Beta's? Commented Jul 17, 2009 at 13:08
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@Daniel By default exchange only does its native MAPI, but it will certainly do both POP3 and IMAP, but you admin has to configure it. Commented Sep 18, 2009 at 12:16
Exchange provides IMAP access to a nice client, Mozilla Thunderbird. It even has a calendar plugin, lightning (not directly usable with exchange).
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1I've tried Thunderbird before, but our company mailserver seems to use some evil Microsoft-specific protocol for doing something that Thunderbird can't seem to handle.– Jason SCommented Jul 17, 2009 at 13:51
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3You can enable IMAP and SMTP on exchange - convincing the administration is a social task.– gimelCommented Jul 17, 2009 at 14:08
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@Jason S: Evolution can do appointment/calendar handling with exchange, even over a standard IMAP connection, if that's what you're after. There's a separate Exchange connection method which takes an OWA URL; I haven't managed to get that working yet though. The Microsoft-specific protocol you're talking about is MAPI, as far as I know. Evolution has a separate, newer MAPI plugin for exchange, too. That crashed badly for me, but it's still experimental, so give it some time.– Lee BCommented Oct 27, 2009 at 21:12
You can connect to Exchange using POP and IMAP, so therefore you can use any mail client. I use Apple Mail on my Mac personally and still use Outlook on Windows, but I also use Thunderbird on occasion.
If you want something completely free and have access to Exchange from the outside you can also use Outlook Web Access.
answered Jul 17, 2009 at 12:48
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POP and IMAP have to be enabled by your system administrator, and I've worked at more than 1 company where they are both disabled. Outlook uses something different to connect, and sometimes that is the only thing allowed. :( Commented Jul 17, 2009 at 14:02
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@Jon Agreed. However it can be done and with good motivation some administrators will allow it. Commented Jul 17, 2009 at 14:17
Evolution (for GNOME) works very well with Exchange.
You could go for Gmail and POP into your Exchange server. ;)
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1Now that would be excellent! I can't stand Outlook! Commented Jul 17, 2009 at 18:07
This looks promising: http://www.emclient.com/, according to the website, it has calendar and contacts support.
I don't know the memory usage of this, but Zimbra Desktop
If your Exchange server has OWA/Webmail access, you can use the OWA plugin.
answered Jul 17, 2009 at 12:49
Just use the web access on the Exchange server.
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OWA, in Exchange 2003 at least, is pretty horrible for anyone who really needs to manage their email folders, read state, search old emails, etc.– Lee BCommented Oct 27, 2009 at 21:13
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If it makes you feel any better, I used to work for a company that used OWA 2003 exclusively. Everyone. Not kidding.– rodeyCommented Feb 3, 2010 at 20:57
