Installing Dynamics CRM for Outlook

Once the file is executed, all necessary components are extracted, and you are guided through a wizard-based installation. Do make sure your Outlook application is closed, otherwise you will be prompted to close it for the installation to proceed.

If you are running the wrong version of the installer, the installation process checks and prompts you about the version mismatch, as shown in the following screenshot.

Once the install process starts, you are guided through a few screens, starting with the setup preparation.

In the next step, you are prompted to accept the License Agreement. Tick the check box and click on Next.

Once the acceptance is completed, we are presented with a screen in which we can directly start the installation process, or modify the installation options. Choosing to modify the default option presents a new screen where we can define whether we want to install the Dynamics CRM for Outlook with offline support or not. For the purpose of a 30-day trial, unless there is a specific need for offline support, we can leave this option unselected.

The second configuration option presented on this screen is the location where we want the files installed. We can also leave the default selection in place.

Next, let's click on Install Now and get started on the installation process. From here on out, the installation wizard proceeds to completion with no more questions or interruptions. On completion, click on Close.

At this point, we have Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook installed, and we are ready to start Outlook and configure our client to connect to our trial instance. Once we launch Outlook, we are prompted to configure the newly installed plugin. As the following screenshot shows, we have to provide the login details for our online instance:

If you have forgotten your selected user name, retrieve it from the confirmation e-mail you received from Microsoft when creating your free 30-day trial.

Once authenticated, you are defaulted to CRM Online. When done, make sure that the Connect automatically with my current credentials check box is selected, and click on the Connect button, as shown in the following screenshot:

This completes the configuration of the Dynamics CRM for Outlook plugin, and you are presented with a final view of all configured connections. In here, you will see your currently configured connection, possibly along with other connections configured previously. You can also get to this window post-installation by relaunching the configuration wizard. Close this window.

Now, your Outlook is connected to your instance of Dynamics CRM. You can navigate to your Dynamics CRM environment the same way you navigate within Outlook to any other e-mail already configured. Your new Dynamics CRM environment shows in the listing of e-mails, the same as a new mailbox. Expanding this list gives us access to all the sections and entities from our CRM environment.