Unable to Open FreeDocs in Outlook Web Access on Exchange Server 2003

After implementation of�Exchange Server 2003, users may notice that access to FreeDocs via Outlook Web Access is no longer possible.� When users attempt to access these FreeDocs within the public folders via their browser, they may receive a 403 Forbidden error.

This behavior is by design.

If this functionality is required, a registry key can be enabled on the Exchange 2003 back-end�mailbox server.� To do this, follow these steps.
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WARNING:� If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system.� Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly.� Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
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1.� Click Start, and then click Run.
2.� In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3.� Locate and then click the following registry key:
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeWEB\OWA
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4.� On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
5.� Type EnableFreedocs, and then press ENTER.
6.� On the Edit menu, click Modify.
7.� In the Value data box, type either 0, 1, 2 or 3 as per the list below, and click OK.
8.� Quit Registry Editor.
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The possible values for the Value data box are as follows:
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0 = Freedocs are inaccessible in OWA.� This is the default setting.
1 = Freedocs are accessible in OWA but only when accessed by the back-end server.
2 = Freedocs are accessible in OWA but only when accessed by the back-end server or via the front-end server with a host header that matches an entry in the registry value AcceptedAttachmentFrontEnds
3 = Freedocs are accessible everywhere.
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If you drag and drop a file from a folder directly into a public folder, that file is called a FreeDoc.� The file resides in one of the public folders, but is not attached to a message in the same way as if you attached the file to a message using Outlook.��In Exchange Server 2000, browser access to FreeDocs via a direct URL was allowed.� With Exchange Server 2003, browser access to FreeDocs is disabled by default.� This�is part of Microsoft's 'more secure by default' initiative.

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