Out of Office Assistant (OOF) allows you to set an automatic reply message when you are not if office. Enabling this depends on which version of Outlook that you are using and which mail account type that you are using.

This is primarily an Exchange account feature, there are several workarounds for POP3, IMAP and Outlook Hotmail Connector accounts as well.

Connected to Exchange

If you are using an Exchange account, you can set the Out of Office Assistant (OOF) to have the Exchange server reply with a specific message while you are not in Office.

• Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013
  File-> section Info-> Automatic Replies

Since the Exchange server sends the Out of Office message even when you can close Outlook or shut down your computer and it will still send the message.

Note :

By default, Exchange does not allow Automatic Replies and OOF messages to the Internet. Your Exchange administrator can enable this on the Exchange server in the following way; Allow Automatic Forwarding/Replying to the Internet

Hotmail and Outlook.com

The Outlook Hotmail Connector or EAS accounts don’t allow you to set an Out of Office message from Outlook, but you can still set via the Outlook.com website itself.

1. Log on to Outlook.com.
2. Click on the Gear icon in the top right (left from your name and picture) and choose: Options.
3. Under “Managing your account”, click; Sending automated vacation replies
   This direct link might work for you as well: Vacation Reply Outlook.com
4. Select; Send vacation replies to people who email me
5. Under the vacation message, you have the option to reply to your contacts only.

Gmail

If you are using a Gmail account, you can set a vacation responder in the following way.

1. Log on to Gmail.
2. Click on the Gear icon in the top right corner and choose Settings.
3. This direct link might work for you as well; Gmail Settings
4. Scroll down the settings page and some near the bottom (under your signature settings), you can select “Vacation responder on” and specify your message.

Praveen

MCTS | Exchange Server