Considerations when you use the Delegate Access feature in Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook provides the Delegate Access feature so that a mailbox owner can designate another person to help manage their calendar.

As a best practice, Microsoft recommends that both the delegate and the owner use the same version of Outlook. Additionally, if the Send on behalf feature is used, both the delegate and the owner must be in the same domain.

For the purposes of this article, the term "different client versions" includes the following definitions:

• The latest service pack for Microsoft Outlook 2002 for Microsoft Windows.
• The latest service pack for Microsoft Outlook 2000 for Windows.
• The latest service pack for Microsoft Outlook 2001 for Macintosh.

Using the Same Mailbox with Different Versions of Outlook

Microsoft does not limit support in any way for the scenario where the same mailbox is being used with different client versions. Product Support Services will investigate, troubleshoot and document issues for customers who use different client versions with the same mailbox.

For the client versions that are supported under the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy, issues will be evaluated and will be eligible for hotfixes. To view the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy, visit the following Web site: Note that in accordance with the Microsoft Product Life Cycle policy, Microsoft Outlook 98 and earlier versions are no longer eligible for hotfixes.

Using Different Versions of Outlook for the Mailbox Owner and the Delegate

Microsoft does not recommend that the mailbox owner and the delegate use different client versions. Product Support Services will start troubleshooting this scenario to determine if a problem exists when client versions are mixed. If a problem only occurs when different client versions are being used, the problems that occur because the mailbox owner and the delegate are using different client versions are eligible for support, including hotfixes, in accordance with the general Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy. However, having the delegate and the mailbox owner use the same version of Outlook may be a better solution than having the customer install a hotfix to resolve the issue.

To use the same version, or build, of Microsoft Outlook, you must install the same Outlook service packs and hotfixes from Microsoft.

For the latest updates that are available for Microsoft Outlook, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://office.microsoft.com/ProductUpdates/default.aspx

There is not an update available for Microsoft Outlook 2001 for Mac. For product information, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/download/

To determine if both the delegate and the owner are using the same version of Outlook, do the following:

Microsoft Outlook 98, Outlook 2000, Outlook 2002, and Outlook 2003

1. In Outlook, click About Microsoft Outlook (or click About Microsoft Office Outlook in Outlook 2003) on the Help menu.
2. Between each client, compare the first line that displays the product name, the version, and the build number.

Microsoft Outlook 2001 for Mac

1. In Outlook, click About Microsoft Outlook on the Apple menu.
2. Click the More Info button.
3. Between each client, compare the first line that displays the product name, the version, and the build number.