The following articles were included in our Exchange Messaging Outlook (EMO) newsletter published on August 8, 2019.
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Today's Highlights:
- TLS problems: Outlook & iCloud not syncing
- Shared Calendars on Smartphones
- Use PowerShell to Bulk Change Contacts
TLS problems: Outlook & iCloud not syncing
Windows 7 users are experiencing problems syncing Outlook with iCloud this week: iCloud stopped syncing Calendar & Contacts. When users sign out of iCloud and sign back in, they are presented with an error message when they try to enable Calendar & Contact sync.
Your setup couldn't be started because the iCloud server stopped responding.
Users may also receive an error message that the iCloud drive has crashed or is not responding.
The problem is caused by sites and services using TLS1.1 and TLS1.2 but Windows 7 is not offering them as default secure protocols in WinHTTP. Windows Server 2008 and 2012 are also affected by this update, but not windows 8 and 10.
The fix is simple: after installing all Windows updates, download and run the "Easy Fix" provided by Microsoft. It's about halfway down the page in this article: Update to enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 as default secure protocols in WinHTTP in Windows.
This is NOT just an Outlook and iCloud issue. Other services will eventually be affected by the change to defaulting to TLS 1.n, including Office 365 Exchange online. This fix will be required when Microsoft stops supporting TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 next year. Anyone using Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008/2012) users should run the Easy Fix, even if not using Outlook or iCloud.
Shared Calendars on Smartphones
The feature update to make shared calendars accessible from smartphones and tablets is rolling out now. When your tenant is updated, you’ll be able to open shared calendars in the Outlook app on your device.
To open a shared calendar, switch to the calendar module then open the menu (house icon in the upper left) then click on the Calendar icon (upper left, replaces the house icon) and select Add Shared Calendar. Search for the calendar by name or wait for the calendar list to sync then tap on the plus sign on the right to add it to the Outlook app.
Use PowerShell to Bulk Change Contacts
I have a series of macros to bulk change pretty much every field in Outlook Contacts. While the macros are pretty much ready to go, the user needs to adjust their macro security setting to run them. A PowerShell script can do the same thing, without requiring security changes in Outlook.
While any Outlook field can be manipulated using PowerShell, I have two script samples available. The first changes the File As and Email Display Name fields of the Contacts in the Default Contacts folder to match the Full Name field. The second same swaps the first and last name fields.
The PowerShell script is easy to use: right-click on the Start menu in Windows 10 and click on the Windows PowerShell entry. Paste the entire script in the PowerShell window and press Enter.
Get the scripts at Use PowerShell to Bulk Change Contacts
I’ve also updated my change message class article to include a PowerShell version that changes the message class of the Outlook items. Assign a custom form to existing Outlook items
New & Updated Exchange KB Articles
Can't sign in to OWA or EAC after you install Exchange Server 2019 CU2 that configures AD FS
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4513500
Free/busy lookups stop working in a cross-premises environment or in an Exchange hybrid deployment
https://support.microsoft.com/help/2928514
New & Updated Office 365 KB Articles
Password hash synchronization for Azure AD stops working and event ID 611 is logged
https://support.microsoft.com/help/2867278
New & Updated Outlook KB Articles
'You don't have permission to create an entry in this folder' error when you add contacts to a contacts folder
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4514534
WebBrowser or WPF control content may not display correctly in an Office application when hosted inside a CustomTaskPane control
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4490421
You cannot edit the message subject through Outlook
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4022843
Other Resources
The Help function is disabled in Office apps
How to solve error message: This command isn't available: Your organization's administrator turned off the service required to use this feature
Use PowerShell to Bulk Change Contacts
How to use PowerShell to bulk change Outlook Contact fields, including the File As and Email display name fields.
Outlook & iCloud: Your setup couldn't be started because the iCIoud server stopped responding.
iCloud stopped syncing with Outlook and return this error message: Your setup couldn't be started because the iCLoud server stopped responding.