No Automatic Signature on Custom Forms & Templates

Thank you to Diane Poremsky for providing this solution found at http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/email/signatures-on-custom-forms-templates/

Diane provides solutions for all versions of Windows Outlook. I implemented the Outlook 2013 version. 

Outlook 2013

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\Options
DWORD: NoAutosigOnCustomForms
Data Value: 1 = no signature; 0 = uses signature (the default)

That's right, we have to add a registry key. Worked as expected, once I put it in the correct directory. I navigated to the Options folder, but incorrectly selected a directory below. It has to be in the Options level folder. Heller.

1. Open the registry editor by typing regedit into the Start menu’s Search field or by press Windows key + R on your keyboard
2. Browse to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\Options key in the registry
3. Right click on the Options folder and choose New > DWORD (32-Bit) Value
4. Type or paste NoAutosigOnCustomForms as the name
5. Right click on NoAutosigOnCustomForms and select Modify...
6. Enter a value of 1 if you don’t want the autosignature added.

You’ll need to restart Outlook for the change to take effect.

Creating a Search Folder for a domain (e.g. microsoft.com)

Being the administrator for Office 365 requires constant communication with Microsoft--especially for issues that affect all cloud users. 

I wanted an easy way to keep that email in my Inbox, but group it together. Utilizing an Outlook feature of "Search Folders" for the account, I did just that.

1. Right Click on the Search Folders icon
2.  Select "New Search Folder" 
   
   
   
   
   
3. In the New Search Folder Dialog box select "Mail from and to specific people"

4. Click on "Choose..." 
5. The Global Address List picker will pop up. 
6. In the "From or Sent to ->" field enter the domain (e.g. microsoft.com)
7. Click OK
8. Wait while your new search folder is created and populated

That's it! Now you just have to remember the folder is there to use during your daily activities.

How to update the Global Address Book in Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010

Last week I added some new distribution groups via the Exchange Management Console EMC (Exchange 2007). Normally, it only takes overnight for the Global Address Book to sync. It had been several days and still no new distribution groups showing up.

Then I remembered that I might be working with a cached copy and needed to download a new copy. Of course I forgot how to do this and searched for the solution. After viewing several dead-end articles, I came upon this great support article/tutorial at UNC-Chapel Hill which describes the process for Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010.
 
https://help.unc.edu/help/exchange-how-to-update-the-global-address-book-in-outlook/

After downloading a new global address copy, my new distribution groups showed up.

Thank you UNC-Chapel Hill Help & Support!

Outlook 2010 Changing Default Task Type for Journaling

[Update: 19 May 2014] These instructions also work for Outlook 2013 / Windows 7 64bit
Summary: I investigated the possibility of changing the default task type in Microsoft Outlook 2010 Journaling. Our department is now utilizing this feature of OL2010 for various reasons, but truly helpful when asked: “So what did you accomplish this week?” For the solution below, I changed the Registry Names for Outlook 2010 Journaling to enable the default to Task instead of Phone Call. According to my findings, Phone Call is hard-coded. The workaround switches the names to have the default task type as Task.

I backed up the Journaling registry as recommended. After making the name changes: boom-shaka-laka works like a charm!

Procedure: 

Resource Thread (Post #2) http://www.msofficeforums.com/outlook/1336-outlook-2003-modify-default-entry-type-new.html

Directions below modified from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/180139

Back Up the Registry

1.       Click the Start button, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

2.       In the Registry Editor, navigate to the key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Outlook\Journaling 

3.       On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File.

4.       In the Save In list, click to select the folder where you want to save the backup.

5.       In the File Name box, type a name for your backup file.

6.       In the Export Range box, be sure that Selected Branch is selected.

7.       Click Save. The file is saved with a .reg extension.

Edit the Registry

Use the following steps to edit the registry:

1.       Click the Start button, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

2.       Navigate to the key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Outlook\Journaling

3.       Right click on Phone Call and select Rename. Change name to Task2.

4.       Right click on Task and select Rename. Change name to Phone Call.

5.       Right click on Task2 and select Rename. Change name to Task.