How setup an Outlook 'offline' startup password

[Al Koch]

Hello,

How can I configure Outlook 2002 to prompt for a password upon startup
when I am disconnected from my company's Exchange Server? When I am at
a customer’s office I don’t want my Outlook to be wide open. I can use
File | Data File Management | Settings | Change Password to set a
password for Archive files (Archive.pst) and Personal files
(Personal.pst) on my notebook. But the most critical file I have on
the notebook is the “Offline File” (Outlook.ost) that is a copy of my
information from the Exchange server. This is where the bulk of the
Contacts, Tasks, Calendars, etc. reside when I am offline and I cannot
find anything that allows me to set a password so that you can’t start
up Outlook without it. I’ve looked in a couple of books I have as well
as scanned some online forums to no avail but I’ve gotta believe that
there is a way to protect this file.

Thank you,
Al

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

If someone can't open Outlook without your login credentials, they can't
open your OST file, either - it's linked to your profile.

I suggest also that you don't leave your computer unattended if you're
worried about this - if you're using WinNT/2k/XP, lock the workstation when
you're away from it.

 

[Al Koch]

Thanks, but is it the case that there is no explicit password protection for
launching Outlook? I know I can lock the workstation but I'm trying to find
a middle ground where someone can use my notebook after I've logged in but
can be "locked out" of the .ost file that is on the notebook when traveling.

Regards,
Al.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Like I said, if you have your Outlook profile set to prompt for login
credentials, they won't be able to open it at all - OST or no.

Why do other people need to use your laptop?