Posted by In one of my earlier post I commented on how to connect to OCS (R2) using the Lync client. Now with the release of the new Lync 2013 client, this “work-around” doesn’t work anymore. But there is a new one. To use the Lync 2013 client with an older server-version like OCS 2007, just add the following registry key (create it, because it does not exist):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Lync\DisableServerCheck
This is a DWORD key and it should be set to “1”.
Now you can logon to OCS (R2), but work with this beautifull new client 🙂
Governance, Risk, Security and Compliance 
Works great, thank you. Any ideas for how to connect Office 365 Lync to OCS R2 server?
Work’s straight away. No problems experienced. Thanks 🙂
Works on Windows 7, but I can’t get it to work on Windows 8 on a Surface Pro with Lync 13
Awesome! Thanks for the post!!
Any possible suggestions on Lync 2013 for ios to connect to office communicator 2007 server?
Dankjewel, Albert 🙂
I can’t find the file path that you named
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Lync\DisableServerCheck
I can only dive down into Office. I don’t have a 15.0 folder.
I just installed Office 2013. And Lync 2013 nor Communicator 2007 are working.
Any thoughts?
To enable this to work with Office Communications Server, you will need to add this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Lync]
“DisableServerCheck”=dword:00000001
Please note that this key or the hyve does not exist! You will need to add this yourself. And also note: please be carefull when editing your registry (back-up first).
Can’t find Office in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\
How about the address book synchronization though? That doesn’t seem to be working.
YOU ARE AWESOME!
Thanks a lot. It worked. Earlier I was using Windows XP mode to run Office Communicator 2007 on Windows 7. I don’t need virtual machine any more.
How ever, it is complaining that Exchange connectivity issues and meetings can’t be retrieved.
-Sreedhar.
Great post! i found some other guides how to connect lync to 2007 ocs but’d dint work for me. After placing dword value in polices key works as a charm! 🙂
I created the registry key but it still didn’t work. Microsoft says sign in with Lync 2013 client is not supported with OCS 2007 R2 server. If this is the case does that mean Lycn 2013 client can’t sign onto OCS 2007 R2?
This hint is not supported by Microsoft and I understand why. You really should use the Lync client with the Lync server(s). But, this hint will work with OCS 2007 R2. Just be careful where to add the registry-key.
Thanks, It worked. I just deleted and created the registry-key again.
It Worked! Thank you!!!
Hello. This works great many thanks. Does anyone know how to trick Lync to connecting to the same server on in OS X please? Rather urgent! That would be amazing 🙂
i have this kind of situation, a lync 2010 client with OCS 2007 server, but it doesn’t download the GAL…so users can’t search ..have to add manually the sip ..
do you know any solution to this problem?
I’ve been looking for so long how to save Conversation History from Office Communicator R2 2007 to Microsoft Office 2013, and this is the only solution! Thanks soo much! Now I can settle down, use Lync 2013, and save all the IM conversations that I want! 🙂
Works Fine! Thanks a lot