Outlook 2003: deploy MAPI profile

[John Smith]

Hello,

I am running a Windows 2000 Active Directory network, with Exchange
Enterprise 2003. We are looking at ways of deploying MAPI profile settings
automatically for each user, removing the need for us to setup the user
profile for Outlook, when the user log's on.

We have thought about using roaming profiles, however are wondering if there
is a way to accomplish what we want without having to deploy roaming
profiles.

Ideally, we would like to profile to automatically connect to the exchange
server for the user logged on.

Would this be done via a customisation of Outlook on the client PC? or
perhaps something we could accomplish via login scripts?

Many thanks, any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Microsoft uses text files with a .prf extension and a highly structured format to provide information to OUtlook that enables Outlook to create or modify a mail profile. You can create such .prf files with the Custom Installation Wizard or Custom Maintenance Wizard tools in the Office Resource Kit. For more details, including a variety of .prf deployment methods, read the excellent white paper "Configuring Outlook Profiles by Using a PRF File" at http://office.microsoft.com/search/redir.aspx?assetid=HA011403051033&QueryID=pHm7c_60I&respos=3

The page at http://www.slipstick.com/exs/olroam.htm includes information on other profile tools and resources.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers