How do I change archive folder with group policy?

[Guest]

I'm using Windows 2003 server with Group Poilcy and Outlook 2003 admin
template outlk11.adm insatalled. I can change all the archive settings ok
but I can't re-direct the location of the archive.pst file.
I would like to change this and put it into users network drive, I have
tried \\<server>\<path>\%username% , this is accepted in the policy, but when
Outlook 2003 starts the destination folder is back to default (local copy in
user profile).

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

The default archive folder is part of the mail profile, not something you can set with GPOs. See http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;836755

Note that Microsoft does not support .pst files on network drives and warns that they may become corrupt in that configuration.

 

[Guest]

Thank's for the reply Sue,

This seems to be a pretty heavy solution, the otlook2003 template includes
the default .pst folder option. Is this enrty ignored by Outlook?

If this is the only solution could you please tell me why the warning about
networking archive.pst files.

Thanks

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I see nothing in the Outlook policy template to set the location of the AutoArchive default file. Where are you seeing that?

Repeating: Microsoft warns that .pst files may become corrupt when placed on network drives.

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

 

[Guest]

Sue,

Under the Office Outlook 2003 ADM....
Tools/Options>Other>AutoArchive (here I set the archive conditions)
Miscellaneous>PST Settings>Default location for PST files (here I set the
network path to hold archive.pst file)

We have users logging onto different PC’s across the network, this coupled
with the renewal of old PC’s makes saving archives in a commonly available
location a must. At present there are no plans to implement roaming policies
due to bandwidth limitations.

Do you think I’m going about this the correct way? Is there another
solution that I’m simply not aware of?

Paul

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Thanks! However, that setting does not do what you think it does. It sets the default location for any ***new*** .pst files that the user might create. It does not set the location of the archive .pst file or redirect any existing .pst files.

To set the default archive file, you need to use the method I described earlier.

What is the real issue you're trying to address? Is it small mailbox size? The best solution for that in your scenario of users working at different machines all the time would be to maintain a server-based archive or implement Mailbox Manager somewhat aggressively.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Guest]

Sue,

Thanks for clearing the default .pst folder up. I was lead down the garden
path by the wording of this. I really thought it related to all .pst file.
Sorry about that.

I'm the it administrator of a company that produces cd-r, cdrom and dvd's.
part of the proccess is to comfirm artwork designs. This is done by e-mail
so we need to keep the confirmation and the artwork together as a job
history. This has resulted in some users e-mail box growing to 2-3Gb.
That's why I require an archive solution.

Looks like I have two options
1. Create the .prf file and take it from there
2. Use server based archive you mentioned.

Could you please elabotate on the server based archive. I know of no way to
hold archives on the Exchange 2003 Server. Is this simply archiving all the
incoming/outgiong e-mail held in Exchange mailboxes?

One final thing if you din't mind. If I decide to follow the origional path
and create the .prf file with the network archive were can I find the
informaition regarding the instability of this setup.

Many thank, you have been a great help.

Paul Kirkup

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

There are a bunch of server-based archive products listed at http://www.slipstick.com/addins/housekeeping.htm#admin

One final thing if you din't mind. If I decide to follow the origional path
and create the .prf file with the network archive were can I find the
informaition regarding the instability of this setup.

I don't know what you mean.

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