autodiscover

Autodiscover is a Microsoft Exchange technology that enables client applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, to automatically find the settings needed to connect to a user's mailbox. This process simplifies email account setup by eliminating the need for users to manually enter server names, port numbers, and other complex configuration details. When a user attempts to add an Exchange account in Outlook, Autodiscover is queried.

The Autodiscover process can function in several ways. It can use DNS records (specifically SRV records) to locate the Autodiscover service endpoint for a domain. Alternatively, it can attempt to connect to a predefined Autodiscover URL, such as `https://autodiscover.yourdomain.com/autodiscover/autodiscover.xml`. If these methods are unsuccessful, Outlook may prompt the user for their credentials and then use those to discover the mailbox location.

Once the Autodiscover service is contacted, it returns an XML file containing crucial information. This XML file includes URLs for various Exchange services, such as the Availability service, Unified Messaging, and Out of Office settings. It also provides information about mailbox server locations. This allows the client application to establish a connection to the correct Exchange server and access the user's mailbox. Autodiscover is a critical component for a seamless user experience with Microsoft Exchange.