Enabling ActiveSync (EAS) Support in Outlook

Although this note is really about a 3rd-party tool, it provides valid and useful information for kolab administrators and end users.

In Outlook 2016/365 ActiveSync support is not enabled by default. While it is still possible to use the manual setup procedure through the Windows Control Panel, unfortunately auto-discovery does not work in this case.

Alternatively it is possible to enable ActiveSync support in Outlook by creating a registry key as follows (source):

• Close all Office applications.
• Start Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
• Locate and then select the following key:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Setup\
• On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
• Type EnableEASAccountCreation, and then press Enter.
• In the Details pane, right-click EnableEASAccountCreation, and then click Modify.
• In the Value data box, type 1 to enable, or 0 to disable EAS account creation, and then click OK.
• Exit Registry Editor.

You can now create ActiveSync accounts using the regular account creation wizard in Outlook by selecting Exchange ActiveSync as account type.