I am having a problem with my computer, how can I get someone to help me?
(Webmail / Google Chrome) I can't click "To" to add a recipient to my email
(Webmail / Internet Explorer) My webmail is blue (everyone else's is Yellow) and seems to be missing features
How do I free up space in my Email?
How do I change my email/login password?
How do I lock my computer so no one can access while I'm not in front of it?
What are some useful keyboard shortcuts?
How do I spellcheck all my outgoing emails in Outlook?
How do I spellcheck all my outgoing emails in Web Mail?
To suggest other topics which could be covered here, email nchapman@waterbury.k12.ct.us
Email / Outlook Web Access (Google Chrome) I can't click "To" to add a recipient or attach a file to my email
Short Answer: Use Internet Explorer (see tip below about compatibility mode) or Firefox. Better yet, if you are on a machine you use frequently and logging in as yourself, use Outlook (available from the Start Menu search).
Long Answer: Sadly, there isn't much that can be done about this. A recent update to Google Chrome disabled use of some legacy code usage that Outlook Web Access uses. You can get the IE Frame google extension if you prefer sticking with Chrome, but using another browser (Internet Explorer 9+ or Firefox) is probably the easiest solution.
Email / Outlook Web Access (Internet Explorer) My webmail is blue (everyone else's is Yellow) and seems to be missing features
Probably, you are using Internet Explorer 11 and we need to turn on Compatibility View. This is easy enough -- at the webmail login screen or after having logged in, use the 'cog' at the top right of your screen to access the settings dropdown, then select "Compatibility View Settings." In the "Add this website" box, (if it isn't already there) type "k12.ct.us" and select "Add." Now select "Close." The browser should refresh and display in the compatibility view mode which should "fix" the problem.
If you have further issues, submit a work order / track it help request and your building tech will assist you.
How to free up some space in Outlook / Outlook Web Access (if you keep getting "Mailbox is over the allowed size" notices)
1 - If you are getting emails telling you that you mailbox is over the allowed size make sure that you delete the items in your deleted items folder to keep your mailbox size down. To do this, right click on “Deleted Items” and select the “Empty Deleted Items Folder.” Likewise, you can right-click the "Sent Items" folder and select "Empty Sent Items" if you'd like to clear the whole folder. You can move older items to the Deleted Items folder and clear that if you don't want to remove all "Sent Items."
This two-step deletion process helps to avoid accidental deletions.
2 - Delete more! Don't worry about saving emails that you think you will never need, but want to keep around "just in case." That is what our Mail Archiver is for!
You can access it by clicking here (if warned by your browser, click "continue despite warnings" -- this is an exception to the rule, as usually we don't recommend proceeding despite safety warnings) and logging in using your Waterbury username and password.
Once you are in, you can see any email you've sent or received. You can fine-tune the displayed items using a basic search or a layered advanced search which allows specifying "from," "to," keywords and/or a date range.
3 - Personal Folders. This method is slightly antiquated and less recommended, but still a viable option for certain users. Using Personal Folders only works for Outlook Desktop Client (not webmail) users and limits the access of files to that computer. If you use the Outlook Desktop Client and primarily one computer and don't like the above methods, ask your building tech (submit a work order) about using Personal Folders.
Changing Your Email/Login Password / Password Requirements
If You are Logged into a School Computer as Yourself
Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE on your keyboard and select 'Change Password.' Enter your current password in the "Old Password" box and then enter the new password you would like to have in the "New Password" box. Then repeat the new password in the "Confirm New Password" box. Click OK and and a box will appear telling you that your password has been changed. Click CANCEL to return to the desktop, and you have successfully changed both your Email password and your Login password.
Through Webmail
Access webmail and log in.
Click the 'Options' dropdown menu at the top right of the page, then select 'Change Your Password' and follow the instructions there.
The Password Must Meet the Following Requirements
- Password must be at least 8 characters
- Password must contain 3 of 4 of the following character types:
- lower case letter
- upper case letter
- number
- special character (@,+,!,$,etc.)
- Password must not be the same as any password used before
- Password can’t contain any part of the username longer than 3 characters in sequence (user jsmith can't have a password with "smi" or "ith" in it)
- Password change can't be within three days of previous password change -- If a password is reset by IT staff on Friday at 2pm, it can't be changed again until Monday at 2pm
Lock Your Computer When Unattended
One of the biggest computer security threats comes from someone sitting down at an unattended computer that has access to sensitive information. When you leave your desk, you can 'lock' your computer so that no one can use it. Press the Windows logo key + L or press the CTRL + ALT + DELETE keys and select 'Lock Computer'. Others can log into your computer as themselves after the machine is locked, but your desktop is inaccessible without password entry.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Here are a few keyboard shortcuts that will make a lot of day to day operations easier and faster.
- General
- CTRL + A - Select All
- CTRL + C - Copy Selected Text or File
- CTRL + X - Cut Selected Text or File
- CTRL + V - Paste Text or File
- CTRL + Z - Undo last Action
- Windows Key + L - Lock the workstation
- Alt + F4 - Close active window
- F5 - Refresh screen/page
- Alt + Tab - switch to another window
- Word [and other Office Applications to include Google Docs]
- CTRL + B - Make Selected Text Bold
- CTRL + I - Make Selected Text Italic
- CTRL + U - Underline Selected Text
- CTRL + E - Align Selected Text to the Center
- CTRL + R - Align Selected Text to the Right
- CTRL + L - Align Selected Text to the Left
- CTRL + J - Align Selected Text to the Justified
Automatically Check Spelling Before Sending an Email in Outlook
*click here for web mail instructions
Avoid sending emails with typos or misspelled words by having Outlook Web Mail spell check email automatically before it is sent. Turning this feature on is easy to do.
From the main Outlook window:
- Go to the Tools menu
- Click Options
- Click the Spelling tab
- Select the Always check spelling before sending check box.
Automatically Check Spelling Before Sending an Email using Web Mail
*click here for regular outlook instructions
Avoid sending emails with typos or misspelled words by having Outlook spell check email automatically before it is sent. Turning this feature on is easy to do.
From the main Outlook window:
- Using Internet Explorer (may work in other browsers), visit www.waterbury.k12.ct.us
- In the left column, click 'District Email'
- Enter your username and password
- At the bottom of the left panel, click Options
- In the right panel, find the Spelling Options section and click the checkbox beside Always check spelling before sending
- Make sure your appropriate language is checked in the same section
- Click Save and Close at the top of the right panel
- Done