Windows 8.1 new Lync app

Those of you who use Windows 8.1 can now get new Lync app.

If you have enabled windows update and you have installed before Lync app, then now you probably have new version of this app.

Also we would like to remaind you that Windows 8.1 Preview can be used till January of 2014.

With new Lync app for Windows 8.1 you will get new features:

  • Take control of shared screens or apps    During a Lync Meeting with app sharing or screen sharing, take control of the sharing started by someone else in the meeting.
  • Run Lync side-by-side with another app at any window size     Use apps side-by-side when you need to reference another app or website while using Lync. You aren’t limited to the old 320 pixel snapped size; you can make the Lync window any size you want.
  • Answer audio and video calls on the lock screen     Answer audio and video calls quickly when your device is locked, without having to unlock it.
  • Mute and Control Call Volume from inside Lync     Mute the speakers or control the volume of your call from the conversation window without affecting your Windows speaker volume.
  • In-app contact search     Find your contacts faster, with a simple, in-app contact search.
  • Sign in reliably    This update includes a number of improvements to the sign in experience so that you can more easily connect and stay connected.

 

More informations you can find here: Lync Team Blog

 

Exchange 2013 Server Requirements Calculator v6.1

Exchange Team Blog released new version of Exchange 2013 Server Requirements Calculator.

This version is updated to reflect changed incorporated in Exchange 2013 CU2 like increades maximum number of databases.

 

New version you can download here:

Exchange 2013 Server Role Requirements Calculator v6.1

 

List of changes in new version since 5.9 you can find below:

  • Fixed operator mistake in calcNumActiveDBsSF formula
  • Fixed missed validation scenario where the calculator could recommend a copy count that could not be deployed on the custom disk architecture
  • Optimized remaining servers formula
  • Fixed an issue where single datacenter, multiple databases per volume architecture with lagged copies didn’t calculate the correct number of
    copies/volume
  • Fixed VirtCPUFactor reference
  • Various comment changes
  • Improved cell highlights for insufficient disk capacity on storage design tab
  • Added additional storage capacities – 1.2TB, 6TB and 8TB
  • Fixed database count validation logic to take into consideration dedicated lagged copy servers

Also all informations about changes in each version you can find here:

Exchange 2013 Server Role Requirements Calculator release notes

SysTools Exchange Recovery – product review

Exchange server is a centralized unit that contains emails, contacts, shared folders and many more user database necessary for communication in collaboration with Outlook and POP3 websites.  Once Exchange – Outlook environment is established then you will receive emails in Outlook user account and it gives the access of emails in your desktop even being away from Exchange connection. But what if you are away from your machine? – Thankfully, through the Outlook Web Access facility user can access emails and other data in Exchange server anytime from any web browser. This is the instant method to access mailbox data till user is part of the Exchange- Outlook environment, but once detached from it there is no way to access those mailbox data. So, in order to keep the track of data that you saved for a life time in Exchange server, it is always suggested to carry the Exchange EDB mailbox data converted in PST format so that whenever and where ever you travel your data will be available just a click away from import it to Outlook.

SysTools® Exchange Recovery software serves user to save their Exchange server mailbox data thus it is suggested get the tool to convert EDB mailbox to PST as it is easy to use, technically advance format to work error free and also facilitated with multiple features. Other than the benefit to convert EDB to PST in terms of carrying mailbox data along with, there are multiple other situations that suggest the help of SysTools Exchange server Recovery software, some of them are listed below:

Resolve EDB Mailbox Corruption: EDB mailbox corruption issues are common trouble that force user to get Exchange Recovery like third party software solutions because the inbuilt applications with Exchange server such as ExMerge utility, Eseutil.exe and Isinteg.exe etc fail to resolve most of the corruption issues if the ratio of corruption reported is high. Both logical and physical corruption issues in turn harm the normal accessing of Exchange mailbox data and in this case the best solution is to run SysTools® Exchange Recovery software and recover EDB to healthy format or selected file type.

Transfer Exchange EDB to New Server Version- Exchange server is been updated time to time by Microsoft® for the improvised user experience and hence the latest edition Exchange 2010 version is here with much user friendly attributes and several options to manage the mailbox data in a much systematic way.  To transfer EDB mailbox from the existing server version say Exchange 2007 or 2003, user can get the help of Exchange Recovery software as it provide provision for the easy conversion of EDB mailbox data to Exchange server  mailbox data even when the EDB is inaccessible/corrupted or damaged.

What User Can Acquire By Working with SysTools® Exchange Recovery Tool?

SysTools® Exchange Recovery software can be an all-rounder solution for many issues that surrounds EDB mailbox database. Tool successfully resolves EDB corruption issues, EDB mount/unmount troubles, EDB migration needs, Exchange server downtime leading to EDB file inaccessibility, change in work environment from Exchange- Outlook to non Exchange, and demand to access EDB data under different email platforms like Outlook Express, Windows Live Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird etc as software brings the option to scan, recover and convert EDB mailbox data to PST, Exchange EDB server database, EML and MSG formats.

Powerful Attributes of SysTools® Exchange Recovery Software

Exchange Recovery software gives the extended support for user to resolve the error messages like “Error 1216 (Jet_errAttachedDatabaseMismatch) or Error 0xfffffb40and many. The successful data conversion from EDB mailbox is possible because of the user friendly features the tool hold, such as:

  • Recover mailbox items from Priv.edb as well as Pub.edb folders
  • Single/batch conversion of EDB mailbox to PST, EML, MSG or Exchange server database.
  • From priv.stm and pub.stm media files can be extracted.
  • Emails, email attachment, contacts, Task and all other data can be recovered.
  • Deleted, compressed and encrypted mailbox data also can be recovered.
  • Large/small, corrupted/healthy, inaccessible/damaged EDB file can be recovered.
  • Email metadata retained even after bulk migration carried out.
  • EDB mailbox migration process report saved as CSV.

What is New in SysTools® Exchange Recovery Version 4.5?

With the release of version 4.5, SysTools® Exchange Recovery tool have become the feature rich solution to approach any kind of database migration or recovery related issues under Exchange- Outlook environment.

  • Recover and convert Exchange mailbox to different file types as:
  • EDB to PST, EDB to Exchange server database, EDB to EML and EDB to MSG
  • Option to split PST if PST file exceeds size limit.
  • Convert EDB to EML or MSG format with naming convention to for easy management.
  • Advance scanning option for accurate Exchange server mailbox recovery.
  • Rich algorithm to detect STM file automatically for lower version of EDB files and if it is in different location then file browse and locate facility is activated.
  • For EDB to Outlook 2013 conversion, extended support to Outlook 2013 version also.
  • Provision to preview email body as well as email attachment of file formats like PDF, DOCX/DOC, PPT/PPTX, image formats etc.

Offer to Try Free Version

As a trial run user can work with the free version of SysTools® Exchange Recovery software that can affirm the confidence of working with purchased version of the software. Free version is activated to work exactly like the full version allowing user to export 25 items per EDB folder to be desired file format for free. Try the demo first and then get the full version purchased with added confidence of experience in EDB mailbox recovery process.

System Requirements

  • Processor- 1GHz Processor (Recommended 2.4GHZ)
  • RAM- 1GB
  • Disk Space- 7.5 MB of free hard disk space
  • MS Outlook (any version) Installation is necessary.
  • Win OS- Win 8 to any version of Windows supported (64 and 32 bit)

 

Exchange Recovery Version- 4.5 How it Works

Follow the screen shots given to know more about how SysTools® Exchange Recovery software works to resolve the corruption/inaccessibility issues with EDB mailbox. The support to the Exchange 2013 and Outlook 2013 version make it a complete solution for the users of any version of Outlook. Users can enjoy the multiple options to convert EDB database once the scanning and recovery of EDB file are done. To know more, follow the screen below:

Download the software and run it from the default path which can be viewed as:

Start>> All Programs>> SysTools® Exchange Recovery>> SysTools® Exchange Recovery

First Screen – The software interface looks similar to that of MS Outlook, so the first screen itself will give the confidence of easy process execution of EDB recovery.

Add File- Click on the Add File option provided to add EDB file to the tool

 

systools01

 

Browse EDB- EDB file can be browsed and located on any Win OS that run the tool.

[Note: The option to browse EDB file will automate the browsing process of STM file in case if the lower version of Exchange is involved. In case if the STM file is saved in any other location, user can manually browse and load it.]

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Locate and Open EDB- Locate EDB file in the system location and then confirm the selection with the option to Open

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Select Scan Mode- Once the EDB file is loaded, the path of the file will be shown. Move to scan EDB file selecting mode of scanning from 2 options provided as:

  • Quick Scan: Fast recovery of EDB files( for minor corruption issues)
  • Advance Scan: Deep scanning for accurate EDB file recovery (for tough corruption)

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Add File to Start Scanning- Select the scanning mode and then click ADD file and start the process of EDB file scanning

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Get Notification- Once the EDB file scanning is done get the notification for successful scanning done, Click OK

Preview Emails- Emails and other data from the EDB file that is scanned can be previewed here. Two views of data is provided for emails as:

  • Normal View: Email body content and header portion can be viewed
  • Attachment View: Email attachment can be previewed.

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Switch View- According to the user convenience the mode of preview can be changed as:

  • Horizontal View: Get the email content displayed horizontally.
  • Vertical View: Vertically view the email body and attachment content.

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Export Mailbox- Select particular email from the preview list and right click to export it.

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Select Export Type – Make selection for the conversion of EDB mailbox from the options as PST, EML, MSG or Exchange mailbox

  • Select PST- If user select PST file option to convert EDB file then the option to Split PST will also be activated.
  • Select EML or MSG – By selecting the option to export EDB as EML or MSG user get the facility to name the file accordingly before saving it.
  • Select Exchange- To import EDB to Exchange mailbox data, select Exchange option and validate the conversion giving an Exchange mailbox name.

systools09

 

Start Export- Once the file type and customization options are confirmed, user can export the EDB file to the file type selected. Click Export

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Confirm Migration- Once successful migration of EDB file is done, get the message confirmed selecting OK

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Export Report- Once the process of Exchange mailbox conversion is carried out successfully into the desired file format, get the process report. Click Save to retain report in CSV format for future reference.

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Note: If user select the option to export EDB to Exchange mailbox, then there are further steps need to be concluded, which is in the CHM file attached with the tool.

 

Conclusion: SysTools Exchange EDB Recovery version 4.5 serves as best option to face the EDB file corruption or migration situations, even when the default solution fails to perform it. With an investment of just $299, one can resolve the Exchange mailbox related troubles and get the database in the format they desire among the options as Outlook PST, EML, MSG or Exchange mailbox data.

 

 

Exchange Server 2013 CU3

CU3 for Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 was released yesterday 11/25/2013

File about 1,5 GB can be downloaded here:

Cumulative Update 3 for Exchange Server 2013 (KB2892464)

Exchange2013CU3

 

After instalation of CU3 your Exchange Server 2013 version number will be 15.0.775.38

The following new enhancements and improvements to existing functionality have also been added for Exchange Server 2013 customers:

  • Usability improvements when adding members to new and existing groups in the Exchange Administration Console
  • Online RMS available for use by non-cloud based Exchange deployments
  • Improved admin audit log experience
  • Windows 8.1/IE11 no longer require the use of OWA Light

Continue reading

Exchange server 2013 Service Pack 1 will be in early 2014

The Exchange Team Blog announced that service pack 1 for the Exchange Server 2013 will be available in early 2014.

Probably this mean Q1 of 2014.

SP1 for Exchange Server 2013 will include below improvements:

  • Windows Server 2012 R2 Support - First answering one the most common questions since the release of Windows Server 2012 R2. Exchange 2013 SP1 will add Windows Server 2012 R2 as a supported operating system for Exchange Server 2013 with SP1. Let your planning begin.
  • S/MIME support for OWA – Support for S/MIME in OWA will be brought back in SP1. With SP1 customers will have S/MIME support across Outlook, Exchange ActiveSync clients, and OWA.
  • Edge Transport Server Role – The Edge Transport server role for Exchange Server 2013 will be available with SP1.
  • Fixes and Improvements – Of course, SP1 will include fixes and improvements in areas you’ve helped us identity. SP1 is the first service pack issued in the new Exchange Server cumulative update release model – thus SP1 is essentially CU4. The installation of SP1 will follow the same process as the prior Exchange 2013 CUreleases. SP1 will include all fixes included in previously released cumulative updates for Exchange 2013.

 

SP1 will require to update Active Directory schema.

Active Directory Schema updates for Exchange are additive and always backwards compatible with previous releases and versions

SysTools OST Recovery lifeline for corrupted OST file

SysTools® OST Recovery v4.1 – Product Review

People who work with the Outlook profile may know that Outlook store the information collected from emails, contacts and other category to the PST file. Other than the PST file, Outlook provides OST format to save the information, when Exchange runs offline. OST file aka Offline Storage Table is created when user work with Outlook in offline mode or Outlook Cached Exchange mode. This facility to work offline helps user to utilize the time for work even when deprived of Exchange connection. OST file can be synchronized with the Exchange server once connection is available again.

If any issues arise when the OST to Exchange synchronization is in process then it can be assumed that OST file is corrupted. Some of the error messages like Unable to expand the folder, the set of folders could not be opened. Errors could have been detected in the file xxxx.ost. Quit all mail-enabled applications and then use the Inbox Repair Tool” is displayed to refer the corruption issues. Employing the steps as per instruction may or may not help to recover OST file, thus the perfect method to recover OST file from corruption is to convert OST to PST using SysTools® OST Recovery tool.

The software is highly appreciated because of certain cases reported with the OST file such as user cannot convert OST file directly to PST file because of the security issues that comes in between  Exchange mailbox, OST and MAPI profile all together. User can neither rename OST file to PST nor open OST file with any other MAPI profile ( for that user have to be logged in to the original MAPI profile). SysTools® OST Recovery tool turns to be a great help for user who faces the trouble in accessing the OST file because the tool works to recover and convert OST to PST even in absence of MS Exchange.

 

How OST Recovery Software Work?

To recover OST file from any type of corruption or inaccessibility issues, SysTools® OST Recovery tool brings the best steps to be executed as:

  • Add OST File – Browse OST file from the location it is stored and Add it to the tool.
  • Scan OST File – Select scanning mode to start OST file scanning to resolve error.
  • Preview OST File – After scanning, get OST file content preview for confirmation.
  • Export OST File – Select the OST file or folder to export it as PST, MSG or EML
  • Save Healthy Data – Save data as PST, MSG or EML format on any system location.
  • Split PST File – If PST is large in size, then user have the option to split PST file.

Continue reading

Lync 2013 Desktop Client November update

The November Update for Lync 2013 Desktop Client introduced new features.

These features work out of the box from a client perspective, your administrator may have to enable/change settings on the server side for you to get the functionality shown below.

Features included in the November Update:

  • Photos of Sender/Receiver – View photos of sender/receiver inline with IM conversation
  • URL Photo Experience – Set your own photo from a public web site instead of using the corporate image
  • pChat Escalation – Escalate a Persistent Chat room to a Lync Meeting with one click
  • Login Trace Files – Easily access Lync client login logs
  • New Recording Options –Choose preferred resolution for client-side recordings

In the IM window new update add capability to view photos of the sender/receiver inline with the conversation. Unfortunately you can’t disable this feature. I think this is waste of space in IM window, and I would like to disable it but I can’t.

 

You can download update here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2825630

Microsoft Lync Server 2013 Update Documentation Help File (.chm)

You can find new Documentation Help File for Microsoft Lync Server 2013 on Download Center.

The updated file includes all changes made to topics in the Lync Server TechNet Library since the release of Lync Server 2013, including bug fixes and updates from community and customer feedback.

 

Microsoft Lync Server 2013 Documentation Help File

 

File can be downloaded here:

Updated Microsoft Lync Server 2013 Documentation Help File