Microsoft 365 (Outlook on the web) - Reading Digitally Signed Messages

Occasionally, senders will digitally sign their messages before sending. In the Outlook on the web, these messages cannot be easily displayed. This document will explain how to view these messages in Outlook on the web.

Important: at this time Outlook on the web cannot validate a digitally signed message. This document will help users view the message content, but the digitally signed message will remain invalidated.

When a message comes in that is digitally signed, a message will be displayed indicating that S/MIME isn't supported. Depending on the version of Outlook on the web, the way to view these messages varies.

  1. Newer Outlook on the web Version
  2. Previous Outlook on the web Versions


Newer Outlook on the web Version

This message has a digital signature

In newer versions of Outlook on the web, though the above error message is displayed, the content of the email will still be shown underneath. Nothing further needs to be done to view this message, however, double clicking it in the message list on the left will open it in a new window.

Previous Web App Versions

S/MIME isn't supported in this view

There are two ways to view these messages:

  1. To view the message in a new window, click click here at the end of the error message.

    click here

  2. Additionally, you can double click the message in the message list on the left to open it in a new window.

You may see additional prompts depending on which browser you are accessing Outlook on the web in that are described below:

Internet Explorer

In Internet Explorer, a different message is displayed:

Install S/MIME in IE

While the email will still be displayed below, you can install S/MIME to make sure all digitally signed messages are displayed. To do so, in the above displayed message, click click here. When prompted, click Run to begin the installation.

Click run

Click OK on the next window that pops up to inform you the installation was successful. The above message will no longer reappear in Internet Explorer.

Firefox

You may also be prompted to install an add-on in Firefox called Microsoft OWA S/MIME 1.0. Before installing, make sure that the add-on is from the Microsoft Corporation.

Install S/MIME in Firefox

If you'd like to install this add-on to read digitally signed messages in your browser, check the box for Allow this installation and click Continue.



Keywordsmicrosoft office365 o365 m365 microsoft 365 outlook owa web app reading digitally signed messages emails browser   Doc ID45268
OwnerO365 S.GroupMicrosoft 365
Created2014-11-25 10:58:03Updated2023-02-02 08:22:55
SitesDoIT Help Desk, Microsoft 365
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