How do I disable "this machine only" in rules and alerts

B

Bob Stilger

I have discovered that the "this machine only" rule is automatically added to
any rule I create. Since I ship my pst files back and forth between home and
work daily, this has created a mess! I want to get this rule to not be one I
have to go in and delete each time.
 
R

Roady [MVP]

You can't as the location of the pst-file is specific on each machine and
that is reflected by the rule. Even when you remove the "on this machine
only" part you still have to fix the rule by relinking the folder for "move
to a specific folder" rule.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
www.howto-outlook.com

Tips of the month:
-Properly back-up and restore your Outlook data
-Creating a Permanent New Mail Desktop Alert in Outlook 2003
 
B

Brian Tillman

Bob Stilger said:
I have discovered that the "this machine only" rule is automatically
added to any rule I create. Since I ship my pst files back and forth
between home and work daily, this has created a mess! I want to get
this rule to not be one I have to go in and delete each time.
Click to expand...

A rule will ALWAYS be a "this machine only" rule as long as you're not
attached to an Exchange server, which is the only thing that can host
server-based rules.
 
B

Bob Stilger

Thanks for the repsonse, Roady. Actually, I've done this for years with
earlier versions of Outlook. As you say, the file setting have to be
identical -- but that is no particular problem. After an hour on the phone
with Microsoft today, they concluded that they didn't know how to disable
"this machine only" either. When I go in and edit it out, and then backup
and restore the *.pst file, the rule stays as edited. I'll have to wait to
see if it works.

This is darned annoying.
 
B

Bob Stilger

Brian, this may be a "dumb" question, but do you know why this is so? It was
not this way in earlier versions of Outlook?
 
B

Brian Tillman

Bob Stilger said:
Brian, this may be a "dumb" question, but do you know why this is so?
It was not this way in earlier versions of Outlook?
Click to expand...

My understanding (which may be inaccurate) is that the machine name is a
data point within the PST. Copy that PST to another machine and the machine
names no longer match.
 
B

Bob Stilger

I think you're right. The *pst files are stored in documents and
settings/username/local settings/application data/microsoft/office/outlook.
so the key to making this work is to use the same username on both machines.

THAT part is fine -- it is the change with this "this machine only" stuff
that is surprising. It is new with 2003, and is based on something other
than username.
 
B

Brian Tillman

Bob Stilger said:
I think you're right. The *pst files are stored in documents and
settings/username/local settings/application
data/microsoft/office/outlook. so the key to making this work is to
use the same username on both machines.
Click to expand...

Completely unnecessary. Outlook doesn't care where the PSTs are, as long as
it has read/write access to them.
THAT part is fine -- it is the change with this "this machine only"
stuff that is surprising. It is new with 2003, and is based on
something other than username.
Click to expand...

Like I said, the machine name is embedded in the PST. I don't think it's
new to OL 2003, since I've seen other posts here describing similar
instances with other Outlook versions.
 
B

Bob Stilger

Sounds like you know more that I do, Brian. But our experience on this
differs somewhat.

1) The file location issue is probably only important in terms of backup and
restore programs -- it is more convenient to "restore to same location."

2) I've been using ths same procedure for doing daily backups and restores
between my office and home computer for six years now. I've never had a
problem with this until Office 2003. Something changed.

Cheers.
 
B

Brian Tillman

Bob Stilger said:
1) The file location issue is probably only important in terms of
backup and restore programs -- it is more convenient to "restore to
same location."
Agreed.

2) I've been using ths same procedure for doing daily backups and
restores between my office and home computer for six years now. I've
never had a problem with this until Office 2003. Something changed.
Click to expand...

I don't know enough to provide a definitive answer. I believe you, but
don't have any better explanation.
 
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