AutoArchive Inbox Group Policy

[John]

We are running Outlook 2003 client to an Exchange server. I installed the
Outlook11.adm so I can configure GPO settings.

Once setting in particular that I need to set is the Auto Archive, which I
have. The policy resulted in the Archive Folders being generated on the
client with sub folders for Deleted Items, Sent Items, and Search Folders,
but not the Inbox and Inbox subfolders.

I have read that the Inbox folder is not included by default. Is there
anything in the GPO or a registry setting that can be enabled to include the
Inbox and any Inbox Sub Folders the users may create?

The only workaround that I can figure is visiting each PC and setting the
Auto Archive for the Inbox, but this really defeats the purpose of the GPO!!

 

[John]

Can a new adm template be created to include the Inbox in the GPO? And if
so, how is that done?

Anyone??!!

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

No, individual folder archive settings cannot be set with GPO.

What about using Mailbox Manager on the server? Or a server-based archive application?

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

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

 

[John]

Thanks for the response Sue!!

Unfortunately, the Exchange servers are handled by a sepearte branch and it
is difficult to convey good ideas to them!!

To beat the carpet a little more though, and perhaps your book has a
solution I can implement (I have not ssen the Programming one yet): can a
script be written that can trigger the Tools/Options/Other/AutoArchive/Apply
these settings to all folders now button to be pushed out via GPO? I see
that the AutoArchive settings are set in the client via the GPO and they
simply need to be applied to the folders.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

GPO can't push buttons to launch Outlook procedures. It can only propagate Outlook settings.

You might be able to write a script that runs while Outlook is running and sets autoarchive properties per folder. I've never tried it, but I think there may be some CDO 1.21 code over at http://www.cdolive.com/cdo5.htm . An unsupported technique, of course.

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

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

 

[John]

I see a couple things over there that may in fact be useful. Thanks again!
Let me pick your brain two more times, though... (Let me be simplistic
here!!)

1. When the Apply to all folders button is selected, obviously some code is
run that cascades the settings to all the folders. When this is done, the
code has modified something to tell Outlook that those folders are to be
archived with those settings. Where is that setting changed, whithin a file
in the the Outlook application, in the registry, or in the pst file itself?

Do you think that SMS could be used to advertise a change to one of these
areas to make the modification possible?

2. Am I correct in thinking that when a user creates another new folder
that the auto-archive settings will have to be applied to the new ones
too--that it is not automatically applied?

Thanks Again Sue! I appreciate your free-to-me time and advice. (That's not
said enough I think.)

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

1) The archive settings are stored as a hidden item in each folder.

SMS? I don't think so.

2) Correct.

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

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

 

[John]

Sue:

Where can I find details/documentation on the Outlk11.adm? I want to make
sure I fully understand what the AutoArchive and Retention settings are
doing. But the Explain tab in GPO are blank, and when I think I've found
something on MS, it's just general info.

Thanks!

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

The most important settings are documented in the online Office Resource Kit, e.g. at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/ha011402861033.aspx.

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

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