GPO problem changing OST path in Outlook 2003

[Bob]

Hi,

I've a GPO in place for Outlook 2003 & 2007 to redirect its PST file. But
this causes a problem with the OST file in that it will follow the same
path. So I added a setting to direct the OST to its default location of
"%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook".

I find that Outlook 2007 has no problem with this GPO when Outlook is first
initialized for a new user. But the Outlook 2003 users do have a problem.

In 2007, the "Offline Folder File Settings" accepts the GPO and converts it
as shown here:
C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.ost

In 2003 however, I would expect the "Offline Folder File Settings" to be the
following:
C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.ost

But instead, it is:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Upon clicking the "browse" button in the "Offline Folder File Settings"
window, the path above will resolve to what it should be and things will be
fine from that point forward.

Does anyone have a solution to this Outlook 2003 initial setup problem?

Thanks!

 

[Robert Zhao [MSFT]]

Hello Bob,

From the description, it seems that your deployment does not resolve the
environment variable %USERPROFILE%. I can reproduce it when I add a String
Value (REG_SZ) named ForceOSTPath with variable %URSERPROFILE% to the
following registry location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook

We can resolve the issue by add an Expandable String Value (REG_EXPAND_SZ)
also named ForceOSTPath.

I hope it will be helpful. Please let me know if it will resolve your
problem.

Sincerely,
Robert Zhao
Microsoft Online Support
Microsoft Global Technical Support Center

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[Robert Zhao [MSFT]]

Hello Bob,

How's everything going?

I'm wondering if the suggestion has helped or if you have any further
questions. Please feel free to let me know if I can assist further.

Sincerely,
Robert Zhao
Microsoft Online Support
Microsoft Global Technical Support Center

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[Bob]

Robert,

Are you saying that Outlook ADM file is defective and that I should write a
custom GPO?

Thanks!

Bob.

 

[Robert Zhao [MSFT]]

Hi Bob,

Because the registry value is REG_SZ, Windows cannot expand the environment
variable. You can refer the following KB articles for more information.

Error message when you start Outlook 2003: "Unable to open your default
e-mail folders"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917383

You cannot specify a separate folder to store the .ost file when you use
the ForcePSTPath value in Outlook 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896591

If you have any questions on it, please feel free to reply again.

Have a nice weekend!

Sincerely,
Robert Zhao
Microsoft Online Support
Microsoft Global Technical Support Center

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[Bob]

Okay, thanks. I now understand. I took a look at the "working" Outlook 2007
ADM and found it in fact had the missing line that is required. I
therefore modifed the "failing" Outlook 2003 ADM as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POLICY "Default location for OST files"
KEYNAME Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook
PART "Enter the path where OST files should be stored locally"
EDITTEXT
VALUENAME ForceOSTPath
EXPANDABLETEXT
END PART
END POLICY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The correction is to add the extra line with text "EXPANDABLETEXT".

p.s. Although I didn't see this cause a problem with the PST location, the
Outlook 2007 ADM uses EXPANDABLETEXT on that also, so I did the same in the
Outlook 2003 ADM.

Thanks, you help greatly!

Bob.

 

[Robert Zhao [MSFT]]

Hi Bob,

From your feedback and additional information, I know you have understood
the cause and got the problem fixed. I believe it will benefit many other
customers browsing the newsgroup with the same problem.

If you have any other questions, feel free to post back. I'll try my best
to help.

Have a nice day!

Sincerely,
Robert Zhao
Microsoft Online Support
Microsoft Global Technical Support Center

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
=====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
=====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.