Outlook on the web
Outlook on the web , formerly known as Outlook Web App and Outlook Web Access ( OWA ), is a technology developed by Microsoft for accessing e-mail inboxes via a web browser .
In terms of content, it is a webmail service. A connection to a Microsoft Exchange Server is established using a web browser and the HTTP protocol. This technique is widely used in businesses to allow employees to access their corporate email from outside the office. In the meantime, however, there are numerous providers who offer a so-called "Hosted Exchange" service, which also enables private individuals to use Exchange.
The HTTPS protocol can also be used or enforced to increase security . OWA was first implemented in Exchange 5.0 and has been an integral part of the Exchange versions since then (2000, 2003). In the meantime, when using OWA with a web browser , you get a surface that hardly differs optically from that of the Microsoft Outlook client. In addition to the mailbox with the folders "Inbox", "Outbox", "Sent items" and "Drafts", you also have access to the functions used by Outlook such as the calendar , task management and notes.
Since OWA works directly on the Microsoft Exchange Server , all changes also apply if you later connect to your mailbox through Outlook. Messages marked as read or unread always appear the same on OWA and when accessed via Outlook.
As of version Exchange 2003, Outlook Web Access is to be defined much more broadly than a pure browser-based access to Exchange. Other services are also tunneled via HTTP and HTTPS, for example to connect mobile devices such as cell phones and PDAs with ActiveSync . This enables these devices access via radio networks such as GPRS , UMTS or HSDPA .
Up to and including Exchange 2007, OWA assumed the use of Internet Explorer. With other web browsers, OWA was only able to display it to a limited extent and essential functions were not available (e.g. downloading attachments in ODF format or setting up e-mail forwarding).
Since Exchange 2010, Outlook Web Access has been renamed Outlook Web App and also offers extensive support for other browsers such as Chrome , Firefox , Apple Safari and, since Exchange 2010 SP2, the dropped mini-OWA called Outlook Mobile Access ( OMA ). In Exchange 2016 it was renamed again to Outlook on the web .