Microsoft 365 and Exchange Server

Install Exchange Category Manager

Choose the environment you manage. Both installation modes use the same CATMAN_GRAPH.zip package.

Download CATMAN_GRAPH.zip Ask installation support

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 / Graph installation

Estimated installation time: about three minutes when the required administrator access and mailbox are ready.

Before you start

A Windows computer or server that stays switched on whenever categories should be managed.
A user who can access Microsoft Entra and knows the Microsoft 365 tenant ID.
A Microsoft 365 mailbox that CATMAN may use for validation and license handling.

1. Download and extract

Download CATMAN_GRAPH.zip and extract it to a normal writable folder, for example C:\CATMAN_GRAPH or D:\CATMAN_GRAPH. Do not install it under Program Files because CATMAN writes configuration and log files in its own folder.

2. Create or reuse the CATMAN admin mailbox

Create or choose a Microsoft 365 mailbox for validation and license handling. A dedicated mailbox named CatManAdmin is recommended, although an existing mailbox may also be used.

3. Migrate an older installation

Stop the existing CATMAN service and copy the current config.ini into the new CATMAN_GRAPH root folder. Existing users, category lists and supported settings are reused automatically where possible.

4. Start catadmin_graph.exe

Run catadmin_graph.exe and choose Microsoft 365 when CATMAN asks which environment you are installing.

5. Register CATMAN in Microsoft Entra

Enter the customer tenant ID and select Register app in Azure. CATMAN opens an elevated PowerShell window to create the app registration and request the required Microsoft Graph permissions. Follow the instructions in that window and return to the CATMAN console when it has completed.

6. Validate the mailbox

Enter the CATMAN admin mailbox address and select Validate. If Microsoft Graph does not accept a newly registered app immediately, wait a minute and validate again.

7. Create a first test list

Add one user, create one category list and add one category. Select the user and the list, then choose Configure selected users with the selected category list.

8. Install and start the service

Select Install service and then Start service. Open Outlook for the test user and verify that the configured category appears.

After the first test

Add real users manually, from the GAL or through a distribution list.
Create the category lists your organization needs.
Link users and teams to the correct list.
Use the log and support options if anything behaves differently than expected.

On-premises

Exchange Server installation

Use Exchange Server mode only for an on-premises Exchange environment. It uses the same CATMAN_GRAPH.zip package.

Before you start

A Windows computer or server that remains switched on while categories are managed.
An Exchange mailbox for the CATMAN admin account.
Permission to configure Application Impersonation for that account.
The Exchange EWS endpoint, unless Autodiscover can find it.

1. Create the CATMAN admin account

Create a user in Active Directory, for example CatManAdmin, and assign it an Exchange mailbox. Membership of Domain Users is sufficient.

2. Assign impersonation rights

Run this command in the Exchange Management Shell:

New-ManagementRoleAssignment -Name:CatManimpersonation -Role:ApplicationImpersonation -User:CatManAdmin

3. Download and extract

Extract CATMAN_GRAPH.zip to a writable folder on a 64-bit Windows computer or server. Do not install it under Program Files.

4. Start and validate

Run catadmin_graph.exe, choose Exchange server, enter the CATMAN admin email address and password, then select Validate.

If Autodiscover cannot find EWS, enter the endpoint manually, for example:

https://exchange.company.com/EWS/Exchange.asmx

5. Add users and category lists

Add the Exchange mailboxes whose categories should be managed, create the required lists and link each user to the correct list.

6. Install and start the service

Select Install service and Start service. Verify a test user in Outlook and check Open log for connection, license or permission errors.

Reference

CATMAN console settings

Initial setup

Tenant ID: The Microsoft Entra tenant ID used for Microsoft 365.
Register / unregister app: Creates or removes the CATMAN app registration in the tenant.
CATMAN admin: The mailbox used for validation, license handling and administrative access.
Validate: Tests whether CATMAN can access the required mailbox and environment.
EWS endpoint: The on-premises Exchange Web Services endpoint; usually found through Autodiscover.

Service control

Install / uninstall service: Adds or removes the CATMAN background service.
Start / stop / restart: Controls background processing.
Run every: Sets how often CATMAN checks and updates category lists.
Process now: Requests an immediate processing run.
Open log: Opens the current diagnostic log.

Users and lists

Add users: Adds mailboxes manually, from the GAL or through a distribution list.
Make / rename list: Creates or renames a centrally managed category list.
Configure selected users: Links selected users to the selected category list.
Remove from list: Unlinks a user or group without deleting the mailbox.

Category management

Add / edit: Creates or changes a category name and color.
Delete / restore: Marks a category for deletion or restores it before processing completes.
Delete unmanaged categories: Optionally removes categories that are not part of the selected managed list.

Advanced

Additional config.ini options

Manual EWS endpoint

[Override]
ManualURL=https://exchange.company.com/EWS/Exchange.asmx

Microsoft 365 tenant

[OAuth]
TenantID=xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx

Existing installations

Copy the old config.ini into the new software folder before starting the console. CATMAN reads supported users, category lists and settings automatically.

Logs and licensing

The console and service write log files in the software folder. Licenses are handled automatically through the CATMAN admin mailbox; trial and paid licenses use the same software package.