Title sais it all:

We have +100 fieldworkers, and we want them to use Dell Venue 8 tablets in combination with Exchange. Domain user policies are applied.

Basically, what we want is this:

They get a tablet. Log in first time within our domain. Policies are executed. They'll leave the office with and do their work with their configured tablet. Email & Calendar synced with our Exchange-server.

Can this be done?

It's going to be a pain if they're required to create a MicrosoftID before they can add a their exchange-account. We don't need it. We don't want it.

Regards,

Oscar

Hi Oscar,

It's going to be a pain if they're required to create a MicrosoftID before they can add a their exchange-account. We don't need it. We don't want it.

What's the meaning? Why did you have to create a MicrosftID for adding the Exchange account? What's the meaning of MicrosoftID? Did you mean Windows Live account or others?

Then back to your question.

Based on my understanding, you want to sync your Exchange account contents (Mail and Calendar) for domain computer when this computer is outside of the domain network, right?

If yes, this could be done and it's default it could. Please make sure you didn't set any policy to restrict it. And then Exchange autodiscover will search this account. If it in outside network, autodiscover will obtain the external URL to sync the account.

For further help, I would like to suggest you ask in Exchange Server forum for profession help(include your Exchange Server version ect information in your post):

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/home?category=exchangeserver

The reason why we recommend posting appropriately is you will get the most qualified pool of respondents, and other partners who read the forums regularly can either share their knowledge or learn from your interaction with us. Thank you for your understanding.

Thank you for your reply Karen.

Yes, with a MicrosoftID I was referring to @live @outlook @hotmail @skype etc. that's required to initialize mail & calendar on the tablet. And that's the problem.

Connection with Exchange works flawless with Windows 8 pro on tablets, in or outside the network.

But this is the dealt to get to that point:

1. New tablet (Dell Venue 8 pro)
2. 1st time logon & applying restrictions within local domain.
3. Installation of (custom) software
4. Set up sync with Exchange for e-mail & calendar
      > We have to ask employee to create a Microsoft Outlook/Skype/Live/etc. account before we can add their Exchange account!!
5. done.

That's a pain. Our employees should not be required to create a private account on those tablets.

So the question is: How can we apply step 4, without the mandatory "create Microsoft account".

• Edited by Lathouderol 1 hour 56 minutes ago

Thank you for your reply Karen.

Yes, with a MicrosoftID I was referring to @live @outlook @hotmail @skype etc. that's required to initialize mail & calendar on the tablet. And that's the problem.

Connection with Exchange works flawless with Windows 8 pro on tablets, in or outside the network.

But this is the dealt to get to that point:

1. New tablet (Dell Venue 8 pro)
2. 1st time logon & applying restrictions within local domain.
3. Installation of (custom) software
4. Set up sync with Exchange for e-mail & calendar
      > We have to ask employee to create a Microsoft Outlook/Skype/Live/etc. account before we can add their Exchange account!!
5. done.

That's a pain. Our employees should not be required to create a private account on those tablets.

So the question is: How can we apply step 4, without the mandatory "create Microsoft account".

• Edited by Lathouderol Monday, February 09, 2015 9:48 AM

Thank you for your reply Karen.

Yes, with a MicrosoftID I was referring to @live @outlook @hotmail @skype etc. that's required to initialize mail & calendar on the tablet. And that's the problem.

Connection with Exchange works flawless with Windows 8 pro on tablets, in or outside the network.

But this is the dealt to get to that point:

1. New tablet (Dell Venue 8 pro)
2. 1st time logon & applying restrictions within local domain.
3. Installation of (custom) software
4. Set up sync with Exchange for e-mail & calendar
      > We have to ask employee to create a Microsoft Outlook/Skype/Live/etc. account before we can add their Exchange account!!
5. done.

That's a pain. Our employees should not be required to create a private account on those tablets.

So the question is: How can we apply step 4, without the mandatory "create Microsoft account".

• Edited by Lathouderol Monday, February 09, 2015 9:48 AM

Thank you for your reply Karen.

Yes, with a MicrosoftID I was referring to @live @outlook @hotmail @skype etc. that's required to initialize mail & calendar on the tablet. And that's the problem.

Connection with Exchange works flawless with Windows 8 pro on tablets, in or outside the network.

But this is the dealt to get to that point:

1. New tablet (Dell Venue 8 pro)
2. 1st time logon & applying restrictions within local domain.
3. Installation of (custom) software
4. Set up sync with Exchange for e-mail & calendar
      > We have to ask employee to create a Microsoft Outlook/Skype/Live/etc. account before we can add their Exchange account!!
5. done.

That's a pain. Our employees should not be required to create a private account on those tablets.

So the question is: How can we apply step 4, without the mandatory "create Microsoft account".

• Edited by Lathouderol Monday, February 09, 2015 9:48 AM

Hi,

From your description, I guess you refer to Mail app coming with the Windows 8.1 instead of Outlook application, right?

If I'm right, yes, you have to provide a Microsoft account to use this app. There is no way to skip this.

For the detailed information, please read here:

Introduction

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/mail-app-tutorial

Yes you're right, but no, you don't have to provide a Microsoft Account.

Starting with Windows 8.1 you can use Group Policy or Registry editor to change that.

Group Policy:

1. gpedit.msc
2. Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> App runtime
3. Allow Microsoft accounts to be optional > Change to "Enabled"

Registry:

1. regedit
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3. create a new DWORD MSAOptional and set its value to 1
4. Restart system

This was the solution.

Windows 8.1 comes with a built-in feature to turn Microsoft account requirement off but by default this feature or option is not enabled and you need to enable this option so that you can use your work account.

Source:

http://www.askvg.com/tip-disable-microsoft-account-sign-in-requirement-in-windows-8-1-store-apps/

Yes you're right, but no, you don't have to provide a Microsoft Account.

Starting with Windows 8.1 you can use Group Policy or Registry editor to change that.

Group Policy:

1. gpedit.msc
2. Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> App runtime
3. Allow Microsoft accounts to be optional > Change to "Enabled"

Registry:

1. regedit
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3. create a new DWORD MSAOptional and set its value to 1
4. Restart system

This was the solution.

Windows 8.1 comes with a built-in feature to turn Microsoft account requirement off but by default this feature or option is not enabled and you need to enable this option so that you can use your work account.

Source:

http://www.askvg.com/tip-disable-microsoft-account-sign-in-requirement-in-windows-8-1-store-apps/

• Marked as answer by Karen HuMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator 3 hours 56 minutes ago

Yes you're right, but no, you don't have to provide a Microsoft Account.

Starting with Windows 8.1 you can use Group Policy or Registry editor to change that.

Group Policy:

1. gpedit.msc
2. Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> App runtime
3. Allow Microsoft accounts to be optional > Change to "Enabled"

Registry:

1. regedit
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3. create a new DWORD MSAOptional and set its value to 1
4. Restart system

This was the solution.

Windows 8.1 comes with a built-in feature to turn Microsoft account requirement off but by default this feature or option is not enabled and you need to enable this option so that you can use your work account.

Source:

http://www.askvg.com/tip-disable-microsoft-account-sign-in-requirement-in-windows-8-1-store-apps/

• Marked as answer by Karen HuMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Monday, February 16, 2015 7:47 AM

Hi,

Thank you for sharing your solutions and experience here. It will be very beneficial for other community members who have similar questions.