If you use Outlook 2000 on your own computer, you can configure Outlook 2000 to store a local copy of your mailbox on that computer. This local copy gives you the ability to work with your mailbox when you are not connected to the Internet. Outlook keeps the server and local copies of your mailbox synchronized based on the settings you provide.

Please note that if you connect infrequently, your mailboxes will require a longer time to synchronize when you do reconnect. Synchronize daily if possible, especially if you receive a high volume of mail. Synchronizing on the network is fast, but doing so over a modem can be quite slow, especially the first time you synchronize.

Make sure that you have already configured Outlook 2000 for your account before you setup offline folders. If you have not done this already, configure Outlook first.

1. If this is the first time you are configuring Outlook 2000, follow the steps provided for Configuring Outlook for the First Time.
2. Verify that Outlook was installed in Corporate/Workgroup Mode.
   1. Select Options from the Tools menu.
   2. Select the Mail Services tab.
   3. Click Reconfigure Mail Support... button.
   4. If Corporate or Workgroup is selected, click Cancel until you return to Outlook. If Internet Only is selected, select Corporate or Workgroup and click Next to reconfigure Outlook.
3. Select Services from the Tools Menu.
4. Select the Microsoft Exchange Server service and click Properties.
5. Select the Advanced tab.
6. Look at the setting Enable offline use to determine whether offline use has already been configured.
   • If the option is grayed out (i.e., the text is gray, and you cannot select the box), offline use has not been enabled or configured. Continue with Step 7.
   • If the option is active, and the box is unchecked, offline usage has been enabled. Skip to Step 10.
   • If the option is active, and the box is checked, offline usage has been enabled and is active. Skip to Step 11.
7. Click the Offline Folder File Settings button.
8. Enter a location and filename for the file used to store your offline mailbox and click OK. By default, the system will use a file named outlook.ost stored in the local user profile. We suggest saving this file in some other folder of your choosing.
9. If the file does not exist, you will be prompted to create the file. Click OK.
10. Make sure the box Enable offline use is checked.
11. Click OK to return to the Exchange Settings Properties window.
12. Click OK to return to Outlook. You will see the folder icons in your mailbox change to small blue arrows. These arrows show that the folder will be synchronized.
13. Configure offline folder settings if desired.
    1. Select Synchronize from the Tools menu and then select Offline Folder Settings.
    2. Uncheck any folders you do not want to be synchronized.
    3. Make sure Download offline address book is checked in order to send mail while offline and have the addresses verified.
    4. Click Download options if you want to limit the size of messages which are downloaded automatically. By default the system will not download messages greater than 50 kb, notifying you that it has done so. If you do not want this to happen, deselect the box for Don't download messages larger than and click OK to return.
    5. Click OK to return to Outlook.
    6. Select Options from the Tools menu.
    7. Select Mail Services tab.
    8. Under Mail options, select how you want Outlook to synchronize. By default the system will synchronize when you push the F9 key. If you want Outlook to synchronize automatically, we suggest using When online, synchronize all folders upon exiting.
    9. Click OK to return to Outlook.
14. You are now ready to use Outlook either in online or offline mode.