LearnIT
Tips
Tips
This page contains Tips, Keyboard shortcuts and Mouse shortcuts.
Tips
If you normally use Hantsnet Passport, try OWA when you need to catch up with your e-mail quickly.
If you need to print your e-mail or calendar at home, you can do this with OWA.
You can use Passport and OWA at the same time (eg Passport to access documents on the I:\drive, which you can then send to 'yourself' with the file added as an attachment - this can then be 'opened' in OWA and the attachment sent to print.
Keyboard shortcuts
ENTER - Open the selected message/contact, appointment etc. depending on the current folder you’re in.
Ctrl+N - Open/create a new message, appointment, contact etc. depending on the current folder you’re in.
Ctrl+R - Reply to the selected message.
Ctrl+U - Mark selected message as unread
Ctrl+Q - Mark the selected message as read.
Ctrl+K - Resolve the names in the address boxes (ALT+K can also be used)
Ctrl+Shift+R - "Reply all" to the selected message.
Ctrl+Shift+F - Forward the selected message.
Del - Delete the selected message.
F7 - Check the spelling in a message.
Ctrl+B - Toggle bold formatting.
Ctrl+I - Toggle italic formatting.
Ctrl+U - Toggle underlining.
Mouse shortcuts
Right click to get shortcut menus, like this one:
Frequently Asked Questions
For ease of use, these questions are split into: General | Security | Technical | Performance
General
Why is the OWA screen not displaying correctly in Internet Explorer 8?
Some websites do not display properly in Internet Explorer 8 because they were designed for Internet Explorer 7. Microsoft has addressed this issue with a Compatibility View feature which helps make websites that are designed for older browsers look better in Internet Explorer 8. See how to turn on Compatibility View.
Can I use OWA in the same way as I use Outlook?
Yes, for all the basic functions of email and calendar.
How do I log off in Outlook Web Access?
Always use the Log Off button 
(top right of OWA window). Once logged off, you must re-enter your password to return to your mailbox.
OWA is just slow or I’m on an old version of Internet Explorer (or Netscape Navigator) and OWA doesn’t work!
Log onto OWA Basic, this should work with most web browsers. Or, upgrade your browser and use the Premium version of Outlook Web Access.
Why does my OWA session automatically time out?
As a security measure, OWA automatically 'times out' your session after 15 minutes, to reduce the risk of your mailbox being compromised.
NB Use caution when using a public computer (eg an Internet kiosk), this can be configured to record the keystrokes of your account and password.
Why does the log on screen appear when I open a message?
When the log on screen appears, your session has 'timed out' and you need to log in again.
Why can’t I “Save this password in your password list”?
To protect your email privacy, security has been heightened to prevent anyone else from being able to log into your account automatically.
Who do I contact if I have a problem that is not covered here?
Please contact the IT Help Desk by e-mail: ithelp@hants.gov.uk or phone: 01962-847000.
How can I view my Sent Items folder in Outlook Web Access?
Click on the "Show/Hide Folders" button 
(OWA toolbar) to 'show' all your folders and click on Sent Items.
Why can't I see new messages immediately in my OWA mailbox?
Unlike Outlook, your OWA inbox only updates every 5 minutes. To refresh your Inbox click on "Check for New Messages" button 
or press F5.
How can I automatically add a Signature to my mail in Outlook Web Access?
Click on the Options button 
(bottom left), then on Edit Signature, update your details and save it. Select Automatically include my signature on outgoing messages.
How can I save the email address of my personal contacts?
Save them in your Contacts folder, then simply type the name in the "To" field - OWA will automatically add the address. Or click on the contact name in your email and select send mail to contact.
How do I recover deleted emails using Outlook Web Access?
You can recover deleted items up to 3 days after you empty your Deleted Items folder. Click on your Deleted Items folder and then on Recover Deleted Items on the top bar. Select the items you wish to recover and click the Recover button
.
How do I search my mailbox items using Outlook Web Access?
Just click the Search button 
(top menu bar) enter the words you wish to search and click Find Now.
Why do I get the message: Microsoft OWA does not recognize "address,address".
You have used a comma to separate multiple addresses, you need a semicolon.
Security
Is OWA secure?
Yes, OWA uses a secure connection to encrypt all information sent between your web browser and Hampshire County Council.
Do I need to worry about any files left on the computer after I finish using OWA?
Not unless you have saved a document on the hard disk of the computer you are using. You can safely open and view all notes/attachments as long as you log off properly .
Does using OWA increase the chance of transmitting computer viruses?
All mail sent and received by OWA is scanned for viruses (the same as Outlook in Hantsnet), however, you should always ensure any computer you use has up-to-date anti-virus software installed on it.
Do I need to take any precautions when using OWA from an Internet Cafe?
If you intend to use OWA on a public computer (eg an Internet cafe) - remember:
Don't save notes/documents on the local hard disk - though it is safe to open and view them
Always logoff - this will ensure that other users cannot access your mailbox.
Technical
Can I use a browser other than Internet Explorer?
Yes, but OWA is designed to work best with Internet Explorer, to maximise performance and minimise problems.
Can I save to my personal Hantsnet drive within OWA?
No, unfortunately you cannot save to either your personal F: Drive or the shared I: Drive (not applicable to schools users).
Performance
What speed does my internet connection need to be to use OWA?
OWA will work on any connection, but obviously the faster the better.
I’m on dialup and my OWA is incredibly slow!
When you log on to OWA, choose the Basic option, it has fewer features, but is generally faster to use over a dial-up or slow connection.
Can I do anything to speed up OWA?
If your Internet access seems slow, it could be a problem with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), contact them for help.
If you use OWA from within the Hampshire Public Services Network (HPSN), use http://owa.hants.gov.uk. This is faster, as the data does not need to be encrypted, this option is not available from a non-HPSN site (e.g. home), due to security restrictions.
How do I view another person's Inbox or Calendar?
Log on to OWA, type the exact URL in the address bar of your browser eg: https://owa.hants.gov.uk/exchange/username/calendar (where username is the person's Hantsnet ID).
If you have permissions to view another user's inbox, this can be accessed in the same way. Login to OWA, then type https://owa.hants.gov.uk/exchange/username/inbox.
Can I send to a distribution list in a Public Folder using OWA?
There is not a way to do this using OWA.
Can I act as a delegate using OWA?
Note: To take advantage of "full" delegate rights, a delegate should use the Outlook 2003 client. A delegate may respond to meeting requests (accept, decline, etc.) on behalf of someone—meeting notifications will arrive in the OWA Inbox
A delegate can also view (with permissions) another person's calendar, but cannot make any changes to the calendar., first login to OWA with your own account and then add the following to the end of the URL:(username/calendar) eg https://owa.hants.gov.uk/exchange/username/calendar (where "username" is the person's Hantsnet ID).
Can I use Find Names in OWA to locate a Distribution List?
Start a new message, enter the name of the distribution list, and click the Check Names button. Or you can select Contacts, open the distribution list you want to send to, and then click the Send mail to list button.
When I travel to another time zone all my appointments display in that time zone rather than UK time?
The OWA Premium client will convert times to reflect the local time zone. To see meeting times based on a different time zone, change the current time zone setting under the OWA 'Options' page.
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