Configure Autodiscover in Exchange 2016 Server

In this article we are going to discuss about how to configure Autodiscover in Exchange 2016.

As you might  know that the main purpose of Autodiscover service is to provide Outlook- Exchange connectivity. With Autodiscover service, Outlook can configure Exchange account itself after entering the credentials like email address and password.

Whenever the user install Exchange 2016, in their system a virtual directory automatically created in default website in IIS, this virtual directory is called Autodiscover.
Autodiscover is typically used for Exchange Web Service clients to find the EWS endpoints URL and it also furnishes information about the clients using other protocols. In this article we will discuss the method to configure Autodiscover in Exchange Server 2016 for end-users as well as for Exchange Admin in order to make Outlook connected with Exchange.

How Autodiscover Works?

Whenever the user install Client Access server in Exchange, a virtual directory created namely Autodiscover in Internet Information Services (IIS). Exchange Server handles all Autodiscover requests with the help of virtual directory that has been requested by Outlook clients and supported mobile phones in the following conditions:

• When configuring and updating a user account
• Whenever Outlook client checks changes to the Exchange Web Services URLs periodically
• Whenever there is any change in underlying network connection in Exchange messaging environment

Steps To Configure Autodiscover In Exchange 2016

Prerequisites

There are some points that user must consider before configuring Autodiscover:

• Outlook should be published to internet
• Outlook Web Application should already published on internet

Note: The given solution is appropriate for small and medium level business organizations.

For End-user Solution or Outlook Level Solution

Before starting, user must be clear about the fact that actual solution is needs to be carried at server level by the admin but firstly we will discuss the Outlook level solution:

Local XML Redirect

Step 1 user needs to check default Autodiscover URL, one needs to logon to Online web application from outside organization environment, with following URL

if it works the system will show ErrorCode 600, then user can easily move futher
Step 2 Now create a Local XML redirect file in Notepad with following text and save the file autodiscover.xml and save the file in any location

Step 3 Open the Registry editor and add the following values:

the value name should be same as domain part of the email address

the above screen shot shows Autodiscover Local XML reference in the Registry Editor
Step 4
Now user can open Outlook and add account with Auto Account setup by giving email address, Password and name. After completing the whole process correctly, the account will be configured in Outlook.

Admin level Resolution

Just like end-user level solution, user need to check whether Autodiscover URL is working in organizational environment by checking OWA

if it works the system will show Autodiscover XML along with ErrorCode 600, now user can add CNAME record to external DNS

admin can check Autodiscover service via Microsoft Remote Connectivity Analyzer and if it successfully configured then admin can perform Outlook Connectivity test.
These are are the methods to configure Autodiscover service in Exchange 2016, with the above mentioned methods one configure it from end-user level and from Admin level.

Conclusion

Autodiscover service is very important for connectivity between Outlook and Exchange server, it is virtual directory that automatically created when user install Client Access server in Exchange. With above given methods one can configure Autodiscover in Exchange 2016 server.

Tej Pratap Shukla
www.about.me/tejpratap