Anybody know a way to close PSTs when Outlook exists?

[Bill Prentice]

I have several users who use PST files because they can't bring themselves to
delete any emails. The bad thing is these PSTs are on the network because
these same users will not reliably backup their own PSTs. This only presents
a problem when they are travelling - the PST opens accross the WAN or VPN
connection and causes problems for everyone else.

I've tried to educate these people ("close your PSTs when you are not using
them") but they refuse to listen and heed the advice.

I've found a way of preventing them from opening/making ANY PST files but
what I would rather try first is something that is not overridable and, as
Outlook is exiting, removes PSTs from the profile so the next time they open
Outlook it's just the mailbox service.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Roady [MVP]]

You can only modify the mail configuration by deploying a mail profile
configuration. For instance by using a prf-file. See the Office Resource Kit
of your version of Office on how to create them.

 

[Bill Prentice]

That's the problem - I'm not trying to establish a pre-defined profile. I
still want them to be able to open, modify, and close PSTs but I what I am
looking to accomplish is for Outlook on the laptops to close out PSTs as part
of closing Outlook. I guess the best analogy would be like how Word behaves -
while I can set a pre-defined NORMAL.DOT Word when I close Word with FOO.DOC
open then next time I start Word it doesn't automatically re-open FOO.DOC. So
if the user opens Outlook (default service is Exchange server), then opens
FOO.PST, then closes Outlook, when he next opens Outlook he only has the
Exchange server and must re-open FOO.PST if he wants to use it.

Given what I'm uncovering I'm beginning to think the exhibited behavior is
not alterable

Or will having that pre-defined profile accomplish what I am looking for?

 

[Roady [MVP]]

No, a mail database in Outlook doesn't work like a Word document. However,
you should be able to use a prf-file to reset the mail profile at each
reboot. Note that they were never designed for this purpose though.

Additionally note connecting to a pst-file on a network share (let alone via
VPN!) isn't recommended nor supported practice by Microsoft and could lead
to data corruption or even data loss. Always keep a pst-file local to the
system.

You can use the Outlook Backup Addin to remind people to backup their
pst-files to the network.