PoliteMail Self-Installation Guide


IT Services provides the PoliteMail service to pre-approved organizations as a means to send email messages to large and specialized campus mailing lists. PoliteMail is a plug-in application to Microsoft Outlook and is easy to install.

If you are a PoliteMail user who will be installing the application on your computer, this guide provides step-by-step instructions to assist you. All other users should read the PoliteMail Overview section Get Started

Once your account has been set up, you'll receive a welcome email message titled "Your PoliteMail account is ready." It will include the software download link, your account password, and a unique PoliteMail Server hostname (needed for your first server connection). Also, this information is needed to register your PoliteMail license.

PoliteMail Welcome Email Message

Tip: If you're supported by an IT support team, you'll need to perform steps 2 and 3 only of the instructions below. However, if you are installing the plugin yourself, follow steps 1-11.

  1. Select Download the PoliteMail for Outlook software to get the installation package. 
    Tip: You will be redirected to your default web browser and will have to download the application from this website: pm1.uchicago.edu.edu/DownloadPoliteMail.html.
  2. Select the downloaded file (client.exe) to complete the installation process.
  3. Select Next on the PoliteMail Client Installshield Wizard.
  4. Select the checkbox to accept the License Agreement.
  5. You will now see the Destination Folder screen. Keep the default setup location, and select Next to finish up the installation process.
  6. The InstallShield Wizard Completed screen will appear. Select Finish.


    You will be prompted with a Host change warning dialog box that asks, "The PoliteMail server has been handed to 'localhost'. Do you wish to continue?" Select No.
  7. You will be prompted with a Server Settings dialog box, enter pm1.uchicago.edu in the PoliteMail Server field. You will also need to change the default setting for Send Email Via to PoliteMail Server. You can do this by selecting the radio button next to the PoliteMail Server, then select OK.
    Dialog Box to Change the PoliteMail Server From the Outlook Outbox
  8. If you've not already done so, exit Outlook and reopen Outlook.
  9. Log in to Outlook. You should be prompted with a Registration window where you will enter the following information:
    1. Email address: Enter your UChicago email address
    2. Password: Enter the password that you received in the welcome email
    3. PoliteMail Server: Enter pm1.uchicago.edu
    4. Send Email via: Enter PoliteMail Server (select this from the drop-down menu)
  10. From your Outlook Ribbon, select the PoliteMail tab to start sending messages through PoliteMail.
  11. You may be prompted with a Change Password dialog box. If prompted, please complete the following steps:
    1. Enter your current password,
    2. Enter your new password,
    3. Enter your new password again to confirm it,
    4. Select Change.

      You will receive a confirmation that you've successfully changed your PoliteMail password.
  12. Now you are ready to use PoliteMail. Select the PoliteMail tab on your Outlook ribbon.
    PoliteMail Option and Ribbon

After Installation, you will see a PoliteMail tab on the Outlook ribbon and when you open a new message. If the tabs aren't visible, restart Outlook. If the tabs disappear from Outlook, read this article PoliteMail has disappeared! for assistance. You may also click on the Help (?) icon on the PoliteMail ribbon to access the complete PoliteMail Knowledge Base.