Automatic Client Configuration

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Guest

Guys and Gals,
We have a number of users logging onto a Citrix server that has Outlook as
an available application for them. How do I set Outlook to automatically
configure for a new user when they logon for the first time to that server? I
want them to be able to click Outlook icon and it will configure and setup
Outlook client for them using their logon info.
Can this be done? If so, how?
Thank you very much in advance!
 
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. 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

The page at http://www.slipstick.com/exs/olroam.htm includes information on other profile tools and resources.

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

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

Thank you for your reply. However, I don't think this is what I am looking
for. What I need, essentially, is a way for users not to go through a regular
Wizard that pops up when you open Outlook for the first time. I want Outlook
to "detect" their Active Directory logon info and get their settings (i.e.
exchange server name,etc.) from there. Is it possible?
Thank you in advance for your time!
 
If you want automatic detection, you have to wait for Outlook 2007.

Since that's not what you have, you need to read the white paper and use the method that it explains, which will be transparent to the user -- your real goal, as I understand it.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

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

Maybe I am misunderstanding something. I have read the white paper you
suggested. It seems to me that the process described in it would work great
if a person sits down at a PC and logs on. Then this file sets up Outlook on
that PC for that person.
Now, what happens if another person walks over to the same PC and logs on as
them? Will the file setup Outlook again for that person? Will it then delete
the previous profile? How would it keep Outlook settings separate for two
people?
Thank you again for working with me!
 
If a PRF file is in place with the appropriate registry values pointing to it, Outlook should set up a mail profile for the new user logging into that machine. Settings for users with other Windows logins on that machine would not be affected because mail profiles are user-specific, not machine-specific.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

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

Thank you very much for helping me and being so patient!!

I have finally figured it out and got it working!!

Thanks again!!
 
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