Those of you who use Microsoft’s Outlook Web App for work or school have probably come across something extremely annoying when attempting to access your email on your Chrome browser or on your Chromebook: Microsoft forces you to use the light version, even though your browser is perfectly capable of accessing the full version. What’s even more annoying is that the light version is extremely handicapped in comparison to the full version: there are a ton of options that you simply can’t access (like inbox rules, for example), and your corporate address book is much more cumbersome to go through.
Call it an innocent mistake on Microsoft’s part. Call it an evil attempt to try to get you to use only Microsoft products. But whatever it is, it’s extremely annoying. Luckily, the solution is relatively simple to set up and start using.
Simply download User-Agent Switcher for Chrome from the Web Store (the link appears below). Next, go to your list of extensions (available at chrome://extensions), and find this particular extension (probably toward the bottom of your list). Click Options > Permanent Spoof list.
For the domain, simply enter the doman you use to access the Outlook Web App; in my case, this is webmail.llcc.edu. For the User Agent String, select Windows Firefox 15. Then click Add.
Going forward, whenever you navigate to your Outlook webmail, you will be given access to the full version, not the light one. You will see that all of the various features function exactly as they should, and that there’s no good reason for Microsoft to block access for Google Chrome users. In other words, your anger at Microsoft will only grow – but at least you’ll be able to access all of the features of your email on the device and browser you want to be using.
Download: Chrome Web Store
“Call it an evil attempt to try to get you to use only Microsoft products.”
Like when Google blocked Maps for Windows Phone users?
I actually had not heard about that, but I looked it up and that’s equally BS. But, just because one company pulls some BS doesn’t mean it’s ok for another one! I find this to be a bit more serious, though, b/c here Microsoft is messing with employee email access…
found this extremely helpful…thanks!!!!!
This was the first helpful thread for troubleshooting for me, ever…thank you
This needs some correction if you don’t want to end up pulling your hair out.
1. make sure you use “user agent switcher for chrome” (by Glenn Wilson) and not the other “user agent switcher” in the Chrome store.
2. this is not enough as it will still not allow to drag and drop emails to folders so: choose OSX Safari 5 and not Firefox 15. This worked for me.
3. I added different URLs to the permanent spoof list, not knowing which one is really crucial:
- https://dbxprd0710.outlook.com
- *.outlook.com
- https://db3prd0702.outlook.com
- https://login.microsoftonline.com
Of course you might have to work with different URLs. Look in your browser bar at each stage of the login process to be sure.
I need to add something:
Even this doesn’t always work. If you exit Chrome and enter again, and you are still logged in, you might get the light WebApp. Log out and log back in.
Works like a champ. Very very useful.
Thanks and I would welcome your other tips.