In the new age of social networking trying to keep up with your friends, messages, status updates and e-mail can be a full-time job. If you use Microsoft Outlook you can manage your friends and social networks with the Outlook Social Connector.

Below is the instruction for downloading and installing the social network provider for Outlook along with the Outlook Social Connector. Once installed and functional you are on your way to a new level of contact management!

Download and Install Social Network Providers

Before you can start to use the social connector in Outlook you first need download and install the social network provider for the social network you want to use.

The connector can be downloaded from Microsoft at this location - https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/outlook-social-connector-partner-listing-FX102317540.aspx?CTT=5&origin=HA010361857

After the connector has been download run the installation program for the download – the file name for the installation will vary depending on the file downloaded.

Note: you may get prompted to install the latest version of the Microsoft Outlook Social Connector before you can continue the installation. If prompted click on Install to start the installation.

Using the Outlook Social Connector

The Outlook Social Connector is minimized by default on the bottom of the Reading Pane when Outlook is first opened. To use the Outlook Social Connector, click on the expand arrow at the bottom of the Reading Pane which will open the People Pane. If the reading pane is not open it needs to be opened by selecting View | Reading Pane and select either Right or Bottom.

Once the People Pane is open select the contact that you want to connect to a social network (this is can done from the Inbox, a folder or the contact list). From within the People Pane box click on Add to link the contact to a social network.

1. Click Add

2. Click Next

3. Select Social Network you want to link

4. Fill-in the appropriate information

5. Click on Connect

6. Click on Finish then Close

To Connect (or Modify) to Additional Social Networks

1. Click on View tab

2. Select People Pane

3. Click on Account Settings

4. Add or update accounts settings as needed

5. Using the People Pane

Once setup the People Pane can be used to stay up-to-date with friends and colleagues from within Outlook. Information included about the person in the People Pane includes updates from the setup social networks including status updates, messages and comments. In addition to updates from social networks the People Pane includes Outlook items such as email messages, attachments and calendar items.

To display different items for a person click on the tabs on the left site of the People Pane. The tabs are as follows:

All Items

This shows all messages and activities for the person.

Activities

This displays activities from the connected social networks for the person.

Mail

A listing of recently exchanged e-mail messages from the person.

Attachments

Shows all the attachments that have been sent or received with you and the selected person.

Calendar

All meeting, past and present, that have been scheduled with the person.

Status Updates

The most recent status update from the selected person.