Quest DropThis for SharePoint 1.0 Freeware

The folks over at Quest Software have recently released a free utility to allow you to easily integrate your Outlook 2003 or 2007 client into SharePoint via their community site – SharePoint For All.

This tool works by allowing you to upload attachments into SharePoint, and provide a link in your email to that document, helping eliminate the sending of attachments through your own, as well as your recipients’ mail servers. All directly from within Outlook.

I find this utility extremely handy for sending files to clients, and pushing the files up to their project site, as well as working with internal teams, pushing files up to my MySite.

Go here to download the software, a mini-guide, and there is also a link to their support forum to share your questions and feedback: http://sharepointforall.com/media/p/401.aspx

Usage is simple, once the add-in is configured, send an email with an attachment, and you will be prompted with the box above so you can specify the location (other than the default you have configured), click OK, and you’re off to the races.

Your recipient will see an email like this, with a link to the attachment (if the first or second options are chosen)

A word of note for Outlook 2007, which is not mentioned in the guide here: http://sharepointforall.com/blogs/team/archive/2009/06/23/the-official-quest-drop-this-for-sharepoint-mini-guide.aspx 

When I had installed (your mileage may vary), the utility was automatically set as disabled. You will know the utility is disabled if there is not a new Quest DropThis for SharePoint tab under Tools > Options. To change this, go into Tools > Trust Center, and click on Add-Ins. You should then see Quest DropThis for SharePoint underneath the Disabled Application Add-ins section. On the bottom of that screen, select Disabled Items from the Manage drop-down, and click Go. Find Quest DropThis for SharePoint in the list, and click Enable. Once enabled, it will then go under Inactive Application Add-ins, to now enable this add-in, select COM Add-ins from the Manage drop-down and click Go. Then, check the Quest DropThis for SharePoint option in the list, and click OK. You should now be ready to go!