Email upgrade FAQs

Frequently asked questions

When is the upgrade happening?

The student email system is being upgraded from 5:00pm Friday, 28 June to 9:00am Monday, 1 July 2013.

Will student email still be available during the upgrade?

Student email will still be available during the upgrade, but your account may update to the new look before Monday, 1 July.

Will my email account change?

After the upgrade, your email account will look a little bit different, but there won’t be any changes to your email, calendars or contacts. Your inbox and email history will stay the same, but you will no longer be able to access the optional Microsoft services (e.g. SkyDrive, Messenger) from your student email account after the upgrade.

You will also see the Microsoft Office365 logo once you’re logged in instead of the UWS logo. This is because UWS manages the student email system, but it will be hosted by Microsoft’s Office365.

What do I need to do before the upgrade?

You need to take action before the upgrade if you use:

  • SkyDrive to store files – you must move any files you have saved in SkyDrive before the upgrade or you will permanently lose your data
  • A mobile device (iPad, smart phone) to access your student email 
  • Optional Microsoft services (SkyDrive, Messenger) – if you want to keep accessing these services after the upgrade, you must follow the steps to retain access to these services before the upgrade

You do not need to take any action if:

  • You have only ever accessed your student email from the MyUWS Student Portal
  • You haven’t used any of the optional Microsoft services (SkyDrive, Messenger)
  • You haven’t set up access to your student email on a mobile device (iPad/smart phone etc)
  • If your software already meets the new system requirements

Are there new system requirements?

Yes, you may need to update your software to meet the new system requirements:

  • Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7 – upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 or later
  • Outlook 2003 – upgrade to a later version

Will I still be able to access student email from my mobile device (iPad, smart phone) or an external mail client?

Yes, however to you will need to update the URL on your device before the upgrade to https://www.outlook.com/students.uws.edu.au.

Will I still have access to the optional Microsoft services (e.g. SkyDrive, Messenger)?

No, you will no longer be able to access SkyDrive from your student email account.

In order to keep access to SkyDrive, Messenger and other Microsoft services, you must follow the steps outlined on the Optional Microsoft services webpage before the upgrade.

What if I’ve stored data in SkyDrive?

If you’ve stored files in SkyDrive, you will need to move the files to another storage device before 5:00pm Friday, 17 May or you will permanently lose your data.

You will no longer be able to access SkyDrive from your student email account.

UWS recommends you use ‘Dropbox’ for file storage. Dropbox allows you to store and access files from any device. More information about Dropbox is available on the iPad suggested apps webpage.

Will I lose my Messenger contacts?

Yes, unless you set up an external Microsoft password before the email upgrade on 28 June-1 July 2013 to retain access to Messenger.

Will I still be able to forward my emails to private/work email account?

Yes, however you must always use your student email address when contacting the University by email. UWS staff can only accept and respond to emails sent from official UWS student email addresses.

Forwarding University emails to a non-UWS email account will be at your own risk. UWS is not responsible for the handling of email by other email service providers and will not guarantee delivery to forwarding addresses or monitor and/or manage undeliverable messages.

We also strongly recommend that you check your student email inbox via the MyUWS Student Portal on a regular basis to ensure mail is being received and forwarded and that your storage capacity has not reached its limit.

How will I access my email after the upgrade?

You’ll still be able to log in via the MyUWS Student Portal.

If you have set up your student email on a mobile device (iPad, smart phone), you will need to update the URL to https://www.outlook.com/students.uws.edu.au before the upgrade.

What will it say in my student email?

Our student email system is managed by UWS and will be hosted by Microsoft's Office365 after the upgrade. Due to the upgrade, we are no longer able to add the UWS logo to the email system, however it is still managed by UWS IT Services.

Do I need to update my password after the upgrade?

No, you will only need to change your password once you are next prompted to do so after the upgrade. The process for changing your password will still be the same as before the upgrade. Follow the instructions to reset your password on the MyUWSAccount password expiry webpage. More information about password expiry is also available on the Password expiry FAQ webpage.