XADM: Getting MAPI Read Receipt Functionality over the Internet Mail Service (253917)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
This article was previously published under Q253917

SUMMARY

When Microsoft Outlook Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) clients request a read receipt for a message going to another Outlook MAPI client, a read receipt may not be generated if the message travels over an Exchange Server Internet Mail Service.

When messages are sent through the Internet Mail Service, they are converted from MAPI to an RFC-822 message. The standard RFC-822 property used to request a read receipt is Disposition-Notification-To:.

The Exchange 5.5 Internet Mail service, when it converts the message, does not translate the MAPI property for read receipt requested to Disposition-Notification-To:. Instead, the flag is translated to a different property named Return-Receipt-To:.

When the message is received and converted back to a MAPI message, the read receipt requested flag is lost.

To receive read receipts between Outlook MAPI clients over the Internet Mail Service, configure the Service properties to encapsulate the message so that the RFC822 conversion and all of the MAPI properties are sent with the message. When the message is received, even though the RFC-822 flag is incorrect (Return-To-To: instead of Disposition-Notification-To:, the underlying MAPI property is retained, and Outlook will understand that a read receipt is requested.

MORE INFORMATION

For read receipt functionality to work properly between MAPI clients that communicate by using the Microsoft Internet Mail Service, the following settings must be applied to the Outgoing Internet Mail Service properties page. Otherwise, the MAPI property for read receipt request is stripped during the message conversion process.
  1. Click the Internet Mail tab, and then click Message Content(Attachments Outbound). Select either MIME or UUENCODE.
  2. On the Internet Mail tab, click Advanced Options, and then click Send Microsoft Exchange Rich Text Formatting. (This is the setting that controls the read receipt functionality). Select Always.
  3. On the Internet Mail tab, click Disable Automatic Replies to the Internet. Select Optional.

    This setting does not limit read receipt generation.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/25/2005
Keywords:kbinfo KB253917
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