Configuring separate mapi profiles for a group of users

[Jason]

I'm in a AD environmennt where I originally used a GPO to deploy Office 2003
based on a MST file. Within this MST file, I "pre-entered" the username,
server, so the users can log onto our Exchange box. Now, we have a situation
where we're adding new users who do not have their own mailboxes and will be
bouncing around between several machines. The one commonality is that they
will share one mailbox that's login disabled.
Is there a easy of copying and applying a different mapi profile for these
users that aren't based on the MST? In other words, is there a way I can
automatically reconfigure the default username for just these users?

 

[NA]

In other words, is there a way I can
automatically reconfigure the default username for just these users?

I don't exactly follow this but I still have an answer!!
http://goffconcepts.com/products/windows/profiler/index.html

If this product does not work the support people could give
you direction.



Helpful Hints:
GOFF Concepts L.L.C.

 

[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 and distribute them with login scripts. 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

 

[Jason]

Hi Sue,
Thanks for your solution, seems to work great. But one issue I've been
having with it is that Outlook starts when the user logs in, which isn't
necessary a bad thing, but it also bugs the user about modifications being
made. Do you know of a process to make this seamless? In other words, is
there a way to use a PRF to make the changes within a MAPI profile without
the user being aware?
Jason

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

If the .prf file is being deployed with the ImportPRF registry value -- as it is if you use the CIW or CMW to crate and deploy the .prf file, the user shouldn't see any prompt. It sounds lik you might have been just running the .prf file or using the /promptimportprf switch.

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

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

 

[Jason]

I couldn't get the importprf registry value to work :-( I looked at the
example in "Outlook Deployment Options: Customizing a PRF File" and tried
implementing it, but Outlook started without doing anything different.
Jason

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Did you also fix the FirstRun and First-Run entries?

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

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

 

[Jason]

Hmm, i didn't sett a firstrun or first-run entry, so i didn't bother creating
one, I guess I should try that.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Actually, you need to either delete them or set them to 0. If you use the .mst file from the CIW or the .cmw file from the CMW, the file will do that for you. Otherwise, you need to do it some other way.

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

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