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This feature requires you to use a Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, Exchange Server 2003, or Exchange Server 2007 account. Most home and personal accounts do not use Microsoft Exchange. For more information about Microsoft Exchange accounts and how to determine which version of Exchange your account connects to, see the links in the See Also section.

Public folders provide a way to collect, organize, and share information with others in an organization. Typically, public folders are used by project teams or user groups to share information about a common area of interest. Public folders can contain any type of Outlook item, such as messages, appointments, contacts, tasks, journal entries, notes, forms, files, and postings.

To add information to a public folder, you can post information to it or reply to information that is already posted to the folder.

• Post information to a public folder

• Reply to information posted in a public folder

• Copy or move a file to a public folder

Post information to a public folder

1. In the Folder List (Folder List: Displays the folders available in your mailbox. To view subfolders, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder. If the Folder List is not visible, on the Go menu, click Folder List.), in the Navigation Pane (Navigation Pane: The column on the left side of the Outlook window that includes panes such as Shortcuts or Mail and the shortcuts or folders within each pane. Click a folder to show the items in the folder.), click Public Folders, and then click the folder where you want to add information.

   If the folder that you want to open is located within another folder, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder and any subfolders, if necessary, until you find the folder that you want.

2. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Post in This Folder.
3. In the form, enter the information that you want to post.
4. Click Post.

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Reply to information posted in a public folder

Do one of the following:

• Post a reply to the public folder

  1. In the Folder List (Folder List: Displays the folders available in your mailbox. To view subfolders, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder. If the Folder List is not visible, on the Go menu, click Folder List.), in the Navigation Pane (Navigation Pane: The column on the left side of the Outlook window that includes panes such as Shortcuts or Mail and the shortcuts or folders within each pane. Click a folder to show the items in the folder.), click Public Folders, and then click the folder with the information to which you want to reply.

     If the folder that you want to open is located within another folder, click the plus sign (+) next to each subfolder until you find the folder you want.

  2. Open the item or file that you want to reply to.
  3. On the Discussion tab, in the Actions group, click Other Actions, and then click Post Reply to Folder.
  4. In the form, enter the information that you want to post.
  5. Click Post.

• Reply to the person who posted information in a public folder

  1. In the Folder List (Folder List: Displays the folders available in your mailbox. To view subfolders, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder. If the Folder List is not visible, on the Go menu, click Folder List.), in the Navigation Pane (Navigation Pane: The column on the left side of the Outlook window that includes panes such as Shortcuts or Mail and the shortcuts or folders within each pane. Click a folder to show the items in the folder.), click Public Folders, and then click the folder with the information to which you want to reply.

     If the folder that you want to open is located within another folder, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder and any subfolders, if necessary, until you find the folder that you want.

  2. Select the item or file that you want to reply to, and then click Reply.
  3. Type your reply, and then click Send.

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Copy or move a file to a public folder

1. In the Folder List (Folder List: Displays the folders available in your mailbox. To view subfolders, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder. If the Folder List is not visible, on the Go menu, click Folder List.), in the Navigation Pane (Navigation Pane: The column on the left side of the Outlook window that includes panes such as Shortcuts or Mail and the shortcuts or folders within each pane. Click a folder to show the items in the folder.), click Public Folders, and then click the folder where you want to add information.

   If the folder that you want to open is located within another folder, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder and any subfolders, if necessary, until you find the folder that you want.

2. Use Windows Explorer or My Computer to find the file that you want to copy or move.
3. Position the Folder List in the Navigation Pane and the other window so that you can see both windows or portions of them at the same time.
4. From Windows Explorer or My Computer, drag the file to the public folder that you want in the Folder List in the Navigation Pane.

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