RSSThis is a very complex subject, for which we can only offer some beginning pointers at this time. Hopefully, we’ll be able to put together more step-by-step information in the near future.
Roaming profiles | Sharing the same computer | Log on anywhere
Tools | Additional tips | More information
Roaming profiles
When you configure a profile for Outlook with Control Panel | Mail, those settings are stored in your Windows user profile. If you have Windows Server or a NetWare server, you can set up users so that their Windows profile settings follow them, no matter what workstation they log on to. Microsoft has several references on this topic:
- Step by Step Roaming Profiles Configuration
- Controlling Where Office Stores Documents and Templates on a Network
- OL2000 (CW) Roaming Using Different Outlook Versions on Different Computers
The Microsoft Exchange Server Resource Kit includes a Profgen.exe utility that works with Newprof.exe to create profiles. See Log on anywhere and More tools below for other tools.
Outlook 2000 adds a Profile Wizard that you can use to clone Outlook settings from one user’s machine and distribute them to others. This is for user settings, not MAPI profiles. The Office Custom Installation Wizard handles the MAPI profile settings. Also see:
- OL2000 The Custom Installation Wizard Deployment Package Does Not Create a New Profile
- OL2000 (CW) Roaming Using Different Outlook Versions on Different Computers
Outlook 2002 changes the way .prf files work, making them easier to load and providing the capability to modify profiles, not just create new ones:
- HOW TO- Specify Exchange Server Settings for Outlook 2002 User Profiles in the Custom Installation Wizard
- HOW TO- Create a PRF File for Configuring MAPI Profiles During a Customized Outlook 2002 Installation
- OL2002 Roaming Using Different Outlook Versions on Different PCs
- OL2002 Outlook 2002 User Profile Is Set to Roam by Default on Windows Me
- OL2002 Views in the Internet Message Access Protocol Inbox Are Not Retained
Note that the profile generation tools only handle the user’s MAPI profile. If you want to force certain other settings — those normally set in Tools | Options – you need to use the System Policy Editor to create a policy file with your choices in it.
Sharing the same computer
What if you don’t have Windows NT Server, but several people need to use the same computer? At the very least, each person needs their own Outlook profile, connecting to their own mail account(s) and using with a unique Personal Folders .pst file, probably password-protected. The tools listed below can generate profiles for this situation, too.
See Sharing Microsoft Outlook Info on One PC for a more detailed discussion.
Log on anywhere
If you need to allow Outlook or Exchange users to log on at any computer to get their mail, but don’t have roving profiles implemented, these tools are designed to help: (They can help with roving profiles, too, of course.)
| Tools | |
|---|---|
Tool to make roving (or roaming) profiles. By RedFox Communications | |
Helps when you want to lock down workstations but users still need access to some Outlook files. (Microsoft) | |
A replacement for Newprof.exe, this tool allows you to modify existing profiles automatically to add new services, as well as create new profiles. (Microsoft) | |
Use ScriptLogic script generating tool to create logon scripts. | |
Additional tips
If you have people moving around and don’t want sample items created in their mailbox each time they use a new profile with Outlook 97, try adding this string value to your registry (if it isn’t there already):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xx.0\Outlook\First-Run
Replace xx with the correct value for your version of Office. You’ll set the value to “False” (without the quotes).
Outlook 2010 = 14.0
Outlook 2007 = 12.0
Outlook 2003 = 11.0
Outlook 2002 = 10.0
Outlook 2000 = 9.0
