Error: icloud using at outlook 365: Server denied Operation (Http 403 Forbidden)

Dear all,

Further to my first post, I found a "backdoor" process to edit iCloud contacts in Outlook -- but it is both tedious and complicated, and doesn't replace the fact that iCloud needs to fix the problem asap...

It only works if you have another Contacts folder (for another email address, for example, such as your work email address).

Let's assume there is a contact in the iCloud folder that needs amending.

First you must change the way the list is viewed once you are in the "People / Contacts" Outlook tab (selected from bottom left corner)

To do this, select the iCloud Contacts folder on the left, then select the "View" command.

Once in "View", select the "Change View" command on the top left in the command thread/pane.

A window will open with various options and their symbols: "People" / "Business Card" / "Card" / "Phone" / "List"

Select "List"

Now your contacts will appear in the window on the right as a list.

Go to the "Search" window at the top of the Outlook command thread (the one at the very top)

Type the name of the contact you wish to edit, such as "Sara" or "Peter" or "Alphonse" or whatever.

It will now appear by itself in the window pane on the right (along with any other contacts with similar names).

Right-click the contact you want to edit, and select "Move" (I know, it sounds strange!) - this will give you a series of options.

Select the last option on the bottom of the "Move" options: "Copy to Folder..."

Select any of your other contact folders (but not the iCloud contacts folder!!!)

Then go into that folder, select the contact, edit it, save it, and then move it back into the iCloud contact folder, but select it as a separate contact!!!

Go back to your iCloud folder and delete the old, unedited, contact.

Job done!!!

It it like scratching your left ear with your right hand, but it works!!! -- until iCloud finally addresses the issue!

Good luck!!!

Hares

Hi,

I had the problem that I could not delete or change any calender entry in Outlook (HTTP 403 forbidden) in connection with the icloud. Finally I tried a complete repair of the office package which includes outlook, of course (Systemsteuerung - Programme - Office - "full repair"). The processing of the repair requires some time but it really helps. After the office repair has finished switch the computer on and off - otherwise the browsers will not work anymore ...

I got a similar approach - until Apple will hopefully fix it soon -

I open the contact which I want to edit and edit it.

When I close it, it asks whether I want to store it, I say yes.

It doesn't allow (which is our common problem) that and asks whether I want to store a copy in the local contact folder.

I say yes and it stores it into a local folder.

I go there and open: it is edited.

Then I move it with the mouse into the icloud folder and delete the unedited one.

I do hope that Apple staff read these complaints about the problem and at least react with a reply oder better with a fix.

Hello Peter,

I have been experiencing the same problem since Wednesday 09 September 2020.

I use a DELL laptop with Windows 10 and my own Microsoft 365 suite.

I spent all of Friday online with Microsoft support, and they were categorical that this was not a Microsoft issue (we did everything you did, including uninstalling Microsoft 365 and iCloud for Windows and then reinstalling both). No joy.

Then I had a first session with an *** at Apple who wanted to convince me that the problem was with Microsoft.

Then I had a second session with a lady at Apple who told me to update the system software on my two iPhones (they all synch with iCloud and Outlook) because they had been generated when the problem started to appear. I did. No joy.

Then I had a third session with a gentleman at Apple in the US who couldn't understand where the issue was, and said it could be a bug in one of the servers (Microsoft or Apple) but he couldn't find a thing about that. No joy.

So I am extremely happy that you have reported the issue - it obviously is an Apple server system issue, and this needs to be escalated to Apple urgently.

All the best,

Hares

[Vom Community Specialist bearbeitet]

Indeed a huge problem. I spent almost the full Friday with a IT-guy trying to solve the problem, with no success so far.

Here are the facts:

• I can create new contacts and delete them, but cannot edit and save changes ! The calendar works fine.
• It happens on both my desktop computer and laptop (both run on Windows 10, latest version 2004)
• Apple products like iPad and iPhone are not affected, they work fine. Changes made on such devices are taken over by the cloud and the changes are shown everywhere (including on my computers).
• It happens with my iCloud account as well as with my wife's iCloud account.
• It happens if the computer is connected through Ethernet, WLAN and also Hotspot (through my iphone). Obviously, it's not a Router problem.
• And more: My contacts suddenly show previously deleted contacts. I have deleted around 50 contacts a few weeks ago, they are now back in the file !!! I only found out that last night.

What we tried:

• Deleting and reinstalling the mail address (several times)
• Deleting and reinstalling iCloud (several times)
• Repairing Outlook (and Office 365)
• Disconnecting the protection software (Windows Defender, Kaspersky, Anti-Malware, Acronis, Protection of the Router, ...)
• Uninstalling the latest upgrade of Acronis 2021 and going back to version 2020. I had upgraded 2 days ago.
• Connecting the laptop to the Internet in different ways (Ethernet, WLAN and even Hotspot)
• And many more ways trying to fix it ... nothing worked

It looks like if Apple (iCloud) copied an older version of the iCloud data back into the cloud. These data seem to accept "reading" and "deleting", but not "writing" if a Windows 10 computer is connected. It's like if the writing port is blocked.

I'm happy if someone finds a solution. Making contact changes only on the iPad and iPhone are not really what I'm looking for.

Regards

Peter

Dear All

i just Updated Windows 10 to actual Version 2004 on my desktop.

it did not help.

using Outlook 2010 / Win 10 32 bit

i still can

• add edit copy delete dates in calender
• add and delete contacts

on my PC

i cannot

• Edit and Save contacts
• shift contacts from iCloud contacts to local contacts pst file (403 forbidden)

i can

do everything on iPad/iPhone and on PC with iCloud add on disabled

as the same happens on my Laptop

• Win 10 64 bit
• outlook 2013
• 
  

the only Common Part is iCloud.com and contact files-> Apple world and not Microsoft

regards

Wolfgang

Unfortunately, every Apple support person I have spoken with (US, Middle East, web):

does not understand the problem

does not try to understand the problem

tells me to try a fix that is not relevant to the problem...

Funny, someone from Apple must have done something. Since last night, I can again edit and save my contacts from my laptop and computer as usual. However, I needed to edit all my contacts and save them again as Outlook used "name = name + surname" instead of "name = surname + name". I want to see the family name first.

I hope the problem is now solved, it was really a hassle.

Same issue for me : Every Apple person denies the problem in on their side...

They claim it's a Microsoft issue, but it is obviously not the case...

long discussion with Apple staff and their supervisor.

they claim it's Microsoft.

i have them on the phone now : they claim it is clearly icloud.com

Hi

I do have the same problem since last thursday on Outlook (on a laptop PC) synchronising with Icould for windows.

I can create a new contact on Outlook, and it does synchronize with Icould as I can find it on mpy Iphone or Ipad.

But impossible to maje any change on a contact via outlook. RThere is a error message saying that I do not have the rights to do it.

Many other guys have the same problem:

https://answers.microsoft.com/fr-fr/msoffice/forum/msoffice_outlook-mso_win10-mso_365hp/impossible-de-modifier-les-contacts-outlook/8beaebba-5fbe-4f35-90e5-a208b5cc389d?messageId=6978270f-97c9-4c05-83c0-3e8455fc0f68&page=2

Don't let them bully you because of their unwillingness to admit they made a mistake!

The code "http 403 Forbidden" is very clear -- it indicates a problem with the remote server.

When you access your app (Outlook), it actually sits on your hard drive, so there is no server involved. Actually, if you cut off the synch with iCloud, the problem disappears on your Outlook.

It reappears the minute you enable the synching through iCloud for Windows.

Therefore the "remote server" indicated by the 403 code can only be iCloud!!!!!

It is simple logic!

Good luck -- I am trying to find a higher-ranked executive at Apple, because this is simply not admissible.

Yes - it got solved a couple of days ago -- a number of Apple Forums raised the issue directly to Apple who had to finally wake up, stop blaming Microsoft and start doing something about the issue.

It now works as it did before the incident.