We have two Surface RT machines. Neither will connect to our 2003 Exchange Server with the Exchange ActiveSync setup (EAS) option in Mail. We have lots of other Smartphones and tablets connected. After many hours, Microsoft Surface Technical Support has not been able to resolve. Errors received: "Unable to connect. Ensure the information entered is correct" A brief error message in the upper right corner of the screen that says ******@myOUTSIDEdomain.com is unavailable Data Entered: Using: Mail Tile/add your mail accounts/view all in set.../Other Account/ Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) /show more details setup screen: Email address: ******@myOUTSIDEdomain.com Server address: webmail.myOUTSIDEdomain.com Domain: myINSIDEdomain Username: johnsmith Password: mypassword Please let me know if you see something wrong with the above data - it works for about 40 other mobile device.

baumisimon: I believe all Exchange Server systems are domain based.

Doh, it looked like Microsoft was destined for success. But not allowing Exchange on their own tablet when they allow it on ipad and android is a major mistake. Microsoft seriously I am trying to help you here. Don't be so restrictive instead of trying to milk every last dime out of your customers think about the success of your company. Going out of business ( well a shell of a your former self) is worse than not raking the last bit of cash out of your customers.

I have to say I am extraordinarily disappointed with this response. I, along with many others, are experiencing this same problem and we are experiencing on both RT (the Surface) and on Windows 8 pro machines. I've have an open ticket for 3 days with no response. I so wanted this machine to work. I give up its going back and I'll get my iPad out. It actually connects to Exchange!

JavanClark: Thank you for your reponse. Your answer is what I suspected to be true - Microsoft intentionally decided not to allow Surface RT Tablets to connect to Exchange Server. The Windows 8 RT may be the only Smart Phone or Tablet Operating System available today with this serious limitation. There will be alot of unhappy customers. So, you believe MS included options in the mail app that are "dummy" options or something? Why would they allow you to select Exchange, ask for the server name, domain name, etc.?

NEED HELP - EXCHANGE ACTIVESYNC (EAS) will not connect to Exchange Server

Anonymous

We have two Surface RT machines. Neither will connect to our 2003 Exchange Server with the Exchange ActiveSync setup (EAS) option in Mail. We have lots of other Smartphones and tablets connected. After many hours, Microsoft Surface Technical Support has not been able to resolve.

Errors received:

"Unable to connect. Ensure the information entered is correct"
A brief error message in the upper right corner of the screen that says ******@myOUTSIDEdomain.com is unavailable

Data Entered:

Using: Mail Tile/add your mail accounts/view all in set.../Other Account/Exchange ActiveSync (EAS)/show more details setup screen:

Email address: ******@myOUTSIDEdomain.com
Server address: webmail.myOUTSIDEdomain.com
Domain: myINSIDEdomain
Username: johnsmith
Password: mypassword

Please let me know if you see something wrong with the above data - it works for about 40 other mobile device.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Wow, there is a lot of misinformation on this board..... Surface does connect to Exchange and has since day 1. The problem is that you are using self signed certificates, and surface does not accept self signed certificates unless you install them yourself. This is done for security, it had nothing to do with joining domains or anything like that, there is no bug. Exchange mail has worked on my surface since October 26th. Make sure you install the cert under

"Trusted Root Certification Authorities"

http://www.lonecpluspluscoder.com/2012/10/how-to-make-a-self-signed-ssl-certificate-work-with-windows-rts-mail-app-on-a-microsoft-surface-rt/

http://blog.brightpointuk.co.uk/adding-exchange-email-account-windows-rt

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68 additional answers

Anonymous

2012-11-02T22:57:38+00:00

baumisimon:

I believe all Exchange Server systems are domain based.
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Anonymous

2012-11-02T23:03:15+00:00

Doh, it looked like Microsoft was destined for success. But not allowing Exchange on their own tablet when they allow it on ipad and android is a major mistake. Microsoft seriously I am trying to help you here. Don't be so restrictive instead of trying to milk every last dime out of your customers think about the success of your company.

Going out of business ( well a shell of a your former self) is worse than not raking the last bit of cash out of your customers.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2012-11-02T23:23:38+00:00

I have to say I am extraordinarily disappointed with this response. I, along with many others, are experiencing this same problem and we are experiencing on both RT (the Surface) and on Windows 8 pro machines. I've have an open ticket for 3 days with no response.

I so wanted this machine to work. I give up its going back and I'll get my iPad out. It actually connects to Exchange!
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2012-11-02T23:38:58+00:00

JavanClark:

Thank you for your reponse.

Your answer is what I suspected to be true - Microsoft intentionally decided not to allow Surface RT Tablets to connect to Exchange Server.

The Windows 8 RT may be the only Smart Phone or Tablet Operating System available today with this serious limitation.

There will be alot of unhappy customers.

So, you believe MS included options in the mail app that are "dummy" options or something? Why would they allow you to select Exchange, ask for the server name, domain name, etc.?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments