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.

Hi, Sorry to see you're having issues with your Surface with Windows RT. The Surface with Windows RT is not intended for commercial use and does not support domain joining. No offense, JavanClark, but you should not be responding if you don't really understand the issues. As stated, the ability to connect to an exchange account is supported by RT. The problem is, it doesn't work. My last call to MS Support verified this is a "known issue."

I think Javan does know what he is talking about phone support is wrong. JavanClark, Forum Modulator and Support Engineer, needs to answer the why - but, he is probably just saying what he is told to say and probably does not know WHY Microsoft made this decision at some high level in management. I have now had several Microsoft support people give me the exact same line: "The Surface with Windows RT is not intended for commercial use and does not support domain joining." Well, domains and Activedirectory are components of Microsoft Exchange Server. Most users don't know those details and are confused by the above domain joining statement. Microsoft should just say: "We don't support Exchange Server" - the most widespread business email solution in the World. We all agree that this is nuts - when you are trying to take market share away from Apple.

I think Javan does know what he is talking about phone support is wrong. JavanClark, Forum Modulator and Support Engineer, needs to answer the why - but, he is probably just saying what he is told to say and probably does not know WHY Microsoft made this decision at some high level in management. I have now had several Microsoft support people give me the exact same line: "The Surface with Windows RT is not intended for commercial use and does not support domain joining." Well, domains and Activedirectory are components of Microsoft Exchange Server. Most users don't know those details and are confused by the above domain joining statement. Microsoft should just say: "We don't support Exchange Server" - the most widespread business email solution in the World. We all agree that this is nuts - when you are trying to take market share away from Apple. Okay, let's all calm down :) just to be sure we are on the same page, you conducted the "update" from a few days ago, right? So, when you start the mail program, it gives several options, including: Outlook ( Exchange , Office 365, Outlook.com) Other ( Exchange Activesync , IMAP, and POP) When you select Outlook and Exchange Activesync, you are prompted to enter email address, server address, domain, username, and password (you have to click "show more details" to see some of these prompts). I enter the *same* information as with iPad, iPhone, and Droid It tries to connect It fails on Surface (but succeeds on all other devices). So, you are saying that Surface RT does NOT support Exchange and Activesync despite the ability to enter all the info? It just makes you go through the motions for fun? NOTE: when you select POP, it gives a message "Mail doesn't support POP3 accounts." If RT didn't support Exchange, it would not allow you to proceed with entering all the info. It would end the "conversation" just like it does with POP3.

I assume this thread is still referring to just Exchange 2003 connections? I have 64G Surface RT and it connects fine to Exchange 2010 SP2 with just a few "push" reliability issues to resolve. From what I've read elsewhere, certificates need to be spot on to get it working. Steve

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

2012-11-02T23:40:38+00:00

Hi,

Sorry to see you're having issues with your Surface with Windows RT. The Surface with Windows RT is not intended for commercial use and does not support domain joining.

No offense, JavanClark, but you should not be responding if you don't really understand the issues. As stated, the ability to connect to an exchange account is supported by RT. The problem is, it doesn't work. My last call to MS Support verified this is a "known issue."
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2012-11-03T00:00:23+00:00

I think Javan does know what he is talking about phone support is wrong. JavanClark, Forum Modulator and Support Engineer, needs to answer the why - but, he is probably just saying what he is told to say and probably does not know WHY Microsoft made this decision at some high level in management.

I have now had several Microsoft support people give me the exact same line: "The Surface with Windows RT is not intended for commercial use and does not support domain joining." Well, domains and Activedirectory are components of Microsoft Exchange Server. Most users don't know those details and are confused by the above domain joining statement.

Microsoft should just say: "We don't support Exchange Server" - the most widespread business email solution in the World. We all agree that this is nuts - when you are trying to take market share away from Apple.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2012-11-03T00:20:57+00:00
I think Javan does know what he is talking about phone support is wrong. JavanClark, Forum Modulator and Support Engineer, needs to answer the why - but, he is probably just saying what he is told to say and probably does not know WHY Microsoft made this decision at some high level in management.

I have now had several Microsoft support people give me the exact same line: "The Surface with Windows RT is not intended for commercial use and does not support domain joining." Well, domains and Activedirectory are components of Microsoft Exchange Server. Most users don't know those details and are confused by the above domain joining statement.

Microsoft should just say: "We don't support Exchange Server" - the most widespread business email solution in the World. We all agree that this is nuts - when you are trying to take market share away from Apple.

Okay, let's all calm down :) just to be sure we are on the same page, you conducted the "update" from a few days ago, right? So, when you start the mail program, it gives several options, including:

Outlook (Exchange, Office 365, Outlook.com)

Other (Exchange Activesync, IMAP, and POP)

When you select Outlook and Exchange Activesync, you are prompted to enter email address, server address, domain, username, and password (you have to click "show more details" to see some of these prompts).
1. I enter the *same* information as with iPad, iPhone, and Droid
2. It tries to connect
3. It fails on Surface (but succeeds on all other devices).
So, you are saying that Surface RT does NOT support Exchange and Activesync despite the ability to enter all the info? It just makes you go through the motions for fun? NOTE: when you select POP, it gives a message "Mail doesn't support POP3 accounts."

If RT didn't support Exchange, it would not allow you to proceed with entering all the info. It would end the "conversation" just like it does with POP3.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2012-11-03T00:25:16+00:00

I assume this thread is still referring to just Exchange 2003 connections?

I have 64G Surface RT and it connects fine to Exchange 2010 SP2 with just a few "push" reliability issues to resolve.

From what I've read elsewhere, certificates need to be spot on to get it working.

Steve
Was this answer helpful?

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