Set up Outlook to Use IMAP Sent Folder instead of local Sent Items Folder

Microsoft Outlook has a "feature" (what many would call a bug), in IMAP accounts where sent emails are stored in the local Outlook folder instead of the IMAP sent folder. This is not bad if you're on your local machine. But if you're on another computer, you won't be able to see any of your sent mail that was sent from the other computer. Part of the beauty of using IMAP is that mail resides on the server, thus allowing you to access your email anywhere, either through a client like Outlook or through webmail.

Fortunately, there is a remedy to Outlook's "feature." It's an easier fix in Outlook 2007, but there is a solution for Outlook 2003 as well.

Outlook 2007

1. Click Tools on the menu bar and choose Account Settings.
2. Click on your IMAP account then click on Change.
   
   
   
   
3. Click on More Settings then on the Folders tab.
   
   
   
   
4. Click "Choose and existing folder..." and choose the Sent folder under Inbox as shown below
   
   
   
   
5. Click OK, then Next, then Finish.

Outlook 2003

Unfortunately, the process is a bit more involved with Outlook 2003. A rule must be created that automatically copies all sent mail to the IMAP folder.

1. Click on Tools then Rules and Alerts.
2. Click on New Rule.
3. Under Start from a blank rule, choose Check messages after sending, then click Next
   
4. Since we want this to apply to all messages, simply click Next on the following screen. If you get a pop up about the rule applying to every message you send, click Yes.
   
5. Check the box beside "move a copy to the specified folder." In the lower box, click on the link on the word "specified." Find your IMAP account and expand it until you can select the Sent folder. Once selected, click OK and click Next.
6. Click Next again.
7. Give your rule a better name than the default then click Finish.