Post-migration instructions for Microsoft 365 emailĀ 

Important reminders for generic accounts, retirees and alumni

On this pageĀ 


Step 1A: Check to see if your migration is complete

On your migration day, if you want to check to see if you have been migrated to Microsoft 365:

  1. Try to log in, via a web browser:

    1. Personal accounts: Log in to https://connect.uwaterloo.ca with your own 8-character UWaterloo username@uwaterloo.ca and password

    2. Generic accounts: Log in to https://connect.uwaterloo.ca/owa/username@uwaterloo.ca, where username is the 8-character username of your generic account and log in as follows:

      1. Some generic accounts are configured to allow you to log in with your personal username@uwaterloo.ca and password

      2. Some generic accounts require you to log in with the generic account username and password (e.g. generic1@uwaterloo.ca)

      3. If you are unsure of which method to use, contact either your IT support rep or the IST Service Desk for assistance.

  2. If you see your mail, then you have not yet been migrated. If you see a forwarding link, then your migration to Microsoft 365 email is complete.Ā 

    1. Note for generic accounts: If your migration is complete, and you click the forwarding link, you may see your personal email, instead of the email for the generic account. If this happens:

      1. Log out (or open a different web browser)

        1. Click on the profile icon at the top right and click Sign out.

          profile icon at top right and 'Sign out' link.
      2. Log into https://outlook.office.com/mail/username@uwaterloo.ca, where username is the 8-character username of the generic account

        1. Generic account login information:

          1. Some generic accounts are configured to allow you to log in with your personal username@uwaterloo.ca.

          2. Some generic accounts require you to log in with the generic account username and password (e.g. generic1@uwaterloo.ca).

          3. If you are unsure of which method to use, contact either your IT support rep or the IST Service Desk for assistance.

Step 1B: Restart Outlook and re-login (if prompted)

If you are not using Outlook, see What if I'm using a mail app that isn't Outlook? section below.

I've been migrated to Microsoft 365. What do I need to do before I log in?Ā 

Ensure you are using a recent version of Outlook (e.g., Outlook 2016, 2019, or M365) and it is up to date. If you cannot update to a recent version, you can access your Microsoft 365 mailbox via microsoft365.com .

  1. Once your account has been migrated, you will likely see an Outlook prompt, to indicate something has changed. Follow the prompts and restart Outlook:

    1. Outlook - Windows:

      1. If prompted with the following, click OK and restart Outlook (File/Exit, then re-open Outlook):

        Windows Outlook message, 'The Microsoft Exchange administrator has made a change that requires you quite and restart Outlook.'
    2. Outlook - Mac OS

      1. If prompted with the following, check the box for ā€œAlways use my response for this serverā€, click the Allow button and restart Outlook (Outlook/Quit, then re-open Outlook).

  2. After you restart Outlook, you may need to reconfigureĀ Outlook settings (see screenshots below), and you may be prompted for two-factor authentication (2FA)/Duo: Ā 

Ā 

Step 2A: Confirm you can access and send/receive email

Once you have completed steps 1A and 1B above:

  1. Confirm you can access and send/receive an email by sending yourself or your colleague a test email. Note: After the migration, it can take some time for all the mailbox folders to synchronize and appear in the folder navigation list.

    1. If you can access and send/receive an email, your migration is complete, and you can skip to Steps 3 and 4 below.

    2. If you cannot access and send/receive email, follow Step 2B below

Step 2B: Reconfigure your email (if needed)

If you cannot access or cannot send/receive email, you may need to re-configure your email client. Choose your email client below for information on how to re-configure your email client. (reminder that you also may be prompted for two-factor authentication (2FA)/Duo):

  1. Personal accounts:

    1. Log in to microsoft365.com .

    2. Select the Outlook app.Ā Ā 

  2. Generic accounts:

    1. Log in to https://outlook.office.com/mail/username@uwaterloo.ca/ (where username is the 8-character username of the generic account)

      1. Some generic accounts are configured to allow you to log in with your personal username@uwaterloo.ca

      2. Some generic accounts require you to log in with the generic account username and password (e.g. generic1@uwaterloo.ca).

      3. If you are unsure of which method to use, contact either your IT support rep or the IST Service Desk for assistance.

  1. Personal accounts and Generic accounts that use the generic account username and password (e.g. generic1@uwaterloo.ca):

    1. Shut down Outlook and restart it again.Ā Send a test message to ensure that you can send and receive email.

    2. You should be prompted to log in once Outlook restarts.Ā 

    3. If Outlook does not prompt you for a password, you receive an error, or if you can't send email, you may need to re-create your profile and/or remove credentials from the Credential Manager; please go to:Ā Managing Outlook Profiles on Windows 10Ā for more information on these topics.

  2. Generic accounts that are configured to allow you to log in with your personal username@uwaterloo.ca

    1. See Adding M365 Shared Mailboxes and Generic Accounts (that you log into with your personal username@uwaterloo.ca) - Outlook for Windows

  1. Personal accounts and Generic accounts that use the generic account username and password (e.g. generic1@uwaterloo.ca):

    1. Launch your Microsoft 365 for Mac Outlook client.Ā 

    2. After Outlook is launched, click onĀ ToolsĀ >Ā Accounts.Ā 

    3. Delete the current accountĀ (highlight your account, then press the minus button (-) in the bottom left corner, and confirm your deletion by clicking onĀ Delete).Ā 

    4. Once removed, youā€™ll be brought back to the Accounts window, click on the button forĀ Exchange or Microsoft 365.Ā 

    5. Enter your primary email address in theĀ E-mail addressĀ field.Ā 

    6. Enter your 8-character usernameĀ @uwaterloo.ca (username@uwaterloo.ca) and yourĀ password.Ā 

    7. Make sureĀ Configure automaticallyĀ is checked, then clickĀ Add Account.Ā 

    8. Check theĀ Always use my response for this serverĀ option and click theĀ AllowĀ button.Ā 

    9. If necessary, see Teams Meeting button is missing in Outlook for Mac support article.

  2. Generic accounts that are configured to allow you to log in with your personal username@uwaterloo.ca

    1. See Adding a shared mailbox to Outlook for the Mac - Instructions for M365 Shared Mailboxes.

  1. Personal accounts and Generic accounts that use the generic account username and password (e.g. generic1@uwaterloo.ca):

    1. Microsoft recommends removing and re-adding the account associated with Outlook on your phone.

      1. To delete the accountĀ 

        1. Start the Outlook app.Ā 

        2. At the top left, select the menu icon, tap theĀ Settings (gear) icon.Ā 

        3. Tap the account you would like to remove/delete.Ā 

        4. A new window will appear. TapĀ Delete Account.Ā 

        5. A small menu will appear, tapĀ Delete.Ā 

        6. Fully quit the application.Ā 

      2. To re-add the accountĀ 

        1. On the Welcome Screen, clickĀ Get Started.Ā 

        2. On theĀ Get NotifiedĀ screen, you have the option to turn on or off app notifications. This is up to your preference.Ā 

        3. On theĀ Add AccountĀ screen, enter the email address of the account you are configuring.Ā 

        4. Enter yourĀ account nameĀ in the following format: Enter your 8-character usernameĀ @uwaterloo.ca (username@uwaterloo.ca).

        5. ClickĀ Add Account.Ā 

        6. Enter yourĀ UWaterloo passwordĀ on the Microsoft 365 sign-in page and selectĀ Sign In.Ā 

        7. If you use 2FA, click through the prompts to authenticate.Ā 

        8. Your account will be added to the Outlook app.Ā 

        9. You will be prompted to add another account if you wish to do so.Ā  Ā 

  2. Generic accounts that are configured to allow you to log in with your personal username@uwaterloo.ca

    1. See step 1. (above) add your personal account first (if it is not already added)

    2. Start the Outlook app.Ā 

    3. At the top left, select the menu icon, tap theĀ Settings (gear) icon.Ā 

    4. Click Add Mail Account.

    5. Click Add Shared Mailbox.

    6. Enter the account email address in the form of the 8-character username@uwaterloo.ca (e.g. generic1@uwaterloo.ca)

    7. Click the Add Shared Mailbox button.

    8. Close Outlook and re-open it.

What if I'm using a mail app that isn't Outlook?Ā 

We are not able to provide instructions for all apps that are on the market. If asked for manual information, use the following:Ā 

  • Username:Ā Enter your 8-character usernameĀ @uwaterloo.ca (username@uwaterloo.ca)Ā 

  • Server: outlook.office365.comĀ 

  • Domain: uwaterloo.ca

  1. Personal accounts and Generic accounts that use the generic account username and password (e.g. generic1@uwaterloo.ca):

    1. Go to your iPhone or iPad'sĀ Settings> scroll down and tapĀ Accounts & PasswordsĀ >Ā tap Add Account.
      Note: For iOS 14.X- Go to your iPhone or iPadā€™s Settings > scroll down and tap Mail > tap Accounts > tap Add Account

    2. SelectĀ Microsoft Exchange.

    3. Enter your 8-character usernameĀ @uwaterloo.ca (i.e. username@uwaterloo) and a description of your account. TapĀ Next.

    4. A popup should appear with the options to Sign in or Configure manually. Select Sign in.

    5. A popup should appear asking you to sign in using your uwaterloo.ca ā€Exchange account using Microsoft". Click Sign In to take you to the page where you will enter your UWaterloo credentials again.

    6. Enter the password associated with your email account. TapĀ Sign inĀ orĀ Next.

    7. The Mail app may request certain permissions. TapĀ Accept.

    8. Choose the services you want to sync with your iOS device and tapĀ Save.

  2. Generic accounts that are configured to allow you to log in with your personal username@uwaterloo.ca

    1. Apple Mail for iOS does not support this configuration. It is recommended to use Outlook for iOS: Add a shared mailbox to Outlook mobile (microsoft.com)


Step 3: Update interface settings if needed

What do I need to doĀ after I log in?Ā 

  • Shared accounts and generic accounts (where access is via personal credentials) may need to be re-configured

  • Signatures may need to be re-created or re-configuredĀ Ā 

  • MailboxĀ favouritesĀ may need to be re-addedĀ 

  • Drafts folder may not appear until a new draft message is createdĀ 

  • You may need to re-add othersā€™ calendarsĀ in Outlook.Ā If you need to re-add, you will receiveĀ prompts to configure other email server settings:Ā 

  1. Remove the existing calendar by right-clicking on the calendar > Delete Calendar.Ā 

  2. Quit and re-open Outlook.Ā 

  3. Re-add the calendar by right-clicking on 'My Calendars' > Add Calendar > from Address Book.


Step 4: Edit new features if necessary

New features available in Microsoft 365Ā 

  • Focused inbox: separates your inbox into two tabs:Ā ā€˜Focusedā€™Ā andĀ ā€˜Otherā€™Ā 

  • MyAnalytics:Ā a tool to help you improve focus, wellbeing, network, and collaborationĀ 

    • Please submit a request via RT to enable MyAnalytics


Additional resources

Voicemail and editing voice greetings

Changes to Exchange distribution groups

Owners ofĀ 'on-premisesā€™ distributionĀ groups/lists can still use them, however,Ā groupĀ owners who have their email in Microsoft 365 willĀ need to log intoĀ http://connect.uwaterloo.ca/ecpĀ toĀ edit them,Ā at this time. Another option is toĀ ask your IST Account Rep toĀ editĀ your groups for you.

Confirm your preferred email address with Alumni

Wondering how you can update UWaterloo with your preferred email address?Ā Complete the Alumni Address Update form to let us know! Updating your address makes sure you receive information aboutĀ alumniĀ reunions and other special events, and can help classmates and friends find you if you choose.