Auto adding contacts during installation

[James Krawisz]

I have written a script for upgrading from Outlook XP to 2003 and would ike
to be able to add a users contacts without having a manual step at each
desktop. Any ideas how? Thanks

Jim

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

And the source of these contacts is?

 

[James Krawisz]

OAB

Jim

And the source of these contacts is?

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

And by OAB you mean "Outlook Address Book" or "offline address book"?

If the former, which contacts are you referring to? The Outlook Address Book
is merely a viewer for contacts folders.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[James Krawisz]

Outlook Address Book, we currently have to add it manually to a new upgrade
by selecting Control Panel\Mail\E-Mail Accounts\Add a new Directory or
Address Book\Additional Address Books\Outlook Address book. This is what I
would like to automate in my install script.

Thanks, Jim

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

You can the Custom Installation Wizard or Custom Maintenance Wizard to
generate a .prf file to do that.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[James Krawisz]

Thanks, I give that a try. I am using both wizards already but not used a
..prf. How is that applied during the installation?

Jim

 

[James Krawisz]

Also, would I ned a .prf for each user or can I create one generic one to
distribute to all users?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

You can either distribute the PRF as part of the .mst or .cmw file or
separately. The ORK articles on PRF files explain.

Generally, one .prf fits all. For example, this extract of the first 4
sections is from a .prf file that just adds the Outlook Address Book service
to the user's default profile:

; **************************************************************
; Section 1 - Profile Defaults
; **************************************************************

[General]
Custom=1
ProfileName=New1
DefaultProfile=Yes
OverwriteProfile=Yes
ModifyDefaultProfileIfPresent=FALSE

; **************************************************************
; Section 2 - Services in Profile
; **************************************************************

[Service List]
;ServiceX=Microsoft Outlook Client
Service1=Outlook Address Book

;***************************************************************
; Section 3 - List of internet accounts
;***************************************************************

[Internet Account List]

;***************************************************************
; Section 4 - Default values for each service.
;***************************************************************

[Service1]

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers