MS Exchange - auto configuring Outlook?

[scgf]

We have recently moved to an Exchange 2003 server and currently users use IE 6 to access their mail, but we would prefer that they use a proper email client in school. Is there any way Outlook/Outlook Express clients could be auto-configured for each user? Their network username and email name are identical as are their passwords since the information comes from AD. Surely there must be a logon script or some other utility which would set up Outlook for them? We currently run MS Server 2003 with Ranger. We had this auto configuring happening years ago when we ran RM Connect 2.x so it can't be rocket science!

 

The idea of talking year 6 - 9 pupils through setting it all up manually would be a nightmare!

 

Any help gratefully received.

 

Many thanks.

[Ric_]

Check out the Office ADM templates and the office installer tools.

[Simcfc73]

I made a outlook 2003 MSI using the office admin kit which had the server name already in it.

 

When they start Outlook 2003 it automatically sets their profile and sends them to their outlook inbox.

[scgf]

Any chance of doing something similar with Outlook Express? We won't be getting Office 2003/7 until the new academic year when we move into a new building. We are currently running Office 97 (does Outlook come with all versions of Office? We have Standard as opposed to Professional). It might be that we can get up and running with OE in the short term.

 

Thanks for the replies folks - they are all very gratefully received.

[tscnmuk]

Outlook Express cannot connect to an Exchange Server.

 

Tom

[ajbritton]

Outlook Express certainly can connect to an Exchange Server. Exchange has SMTP and POP services, and Outlook Express will quite happily work with them.

[klawd]

There is a utility called the Custom Installation Wizard that comes with office resource kit that allows you to configure an outlook profile . prf file and save it. Then all you need to do is deploy this file to the clients.

 

In the profile you can use vars like %USERNAME% etc so you only need to configure 1 profile, and then when the user runs the .prf file it will substitute the correct values.

 

One final thing: Are you really going to give year 6,7 + pupils access to the full outlook client? There is quite a large amount of personal information that can be stored in the global address list.

 

There also does not appear to be much scope for locking down the outlook interface.

[alan-d]

Outlook Express cannot connect to an Exchange Server.

 

Tom

 

Yes it can.

[tosca925]

Outlook Express certainly can connect to an Exchange Server. Exchange has SMTP and POP services, and Outlook Express will quite happily work with them.

 

Yep, Ive had this working, but i must admit we use Outlook all through our domain.

[Grommit]

I made a outlook 2003 MSI using the office admin kit which had the server name already in it.

 

When they start Outlook 2003 it automatically sets their profile and sends them to their outlook inbox.

 

What I think SGCF is asking.. is that Ranger uses local profiles and does not configure Outlook when its first started...

 

So how can you get ALL the users to have an outlook profile

 

How can we get 160 Local Profile Users to have a Outlook profile... because if you make an Outlook MSI with the server name how will it know the user name.. would it not default to the user account it was made in ?

[tscnmuk]

Sorry

 

Had sat down for the night for a few beers and completely forgotten about SMTP and POP connectivity. Have never really used Outlook Express myself so just slipped my mind completely

[Simcfc73]

I made a outlook 2003 MSI using the office admin kit which had the server name already in it.

 

When they start Outlook 2003 it automatically sets their profile and sends them to their outlook inbox.

 

What I think SGCF is asking.. is that Ranger uses local profiles and does not configure Outlook when its first started...

 

So how can you get ALL the users to have an outlook profile

 

How can we get 160 Local Profile Users to have a Outlook profile... because if you make an Outlook MSI with the server name how will it know the user name.. would it not default to the user account it was made in ?

 

We use it with mandatory profiles for the kids and it default to the logged on users logon name.

 

If they have a Exchange account setup it automatically logs them into their account, its very quick.

 

Everythings automatic in outlook2003, outlook 2000 always stopped at the server name box.

 

Its not as fact as if they had a normal profiles but the lag isn't much.

[pooley]

Or you could use a program called RichProfile creator:

 

http://desktopengineer.com/story_20011129081953709

 

Run it in the logon script. Works great! Will do just what you want.

[NetworkGeezer]

Or you could use a program called RichProfile creator:

 

http://desktopengineer.com/story_20011129081953709

 

Run it in the logon script. Works great! Will do just what you want.

 

Note that it's for Outlook 2000 and Outlook 2002 (Officed XP). For Outlook 2003 you would have to use CIW or CMW from the Office Resource KIT.

 

Or use the /profile switch with the Outlook executable

[NetworkGeezer]

The original post actually mentioned Outlook Express. To create configure Outlook Express accounts autmatically you will need to do some scripted registry editing.

 

Create a POP/SMTP account manually then look under the key

 HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Account Manager 

 

You can then use VBS,KiX or REG /ADD (from BAT/CMD) to create similar reg entries for student profiles.

[kxv2020]

I would delpoy Outlook on startup ... automatically using the switch ...

 

 

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\outlook.exe" /importprf T:\DefProfile\Office\PRF.PRF

 

You can deploy it via startup logon script or put it in startup. Otherwise if you have redirected desktop and start menus replace the link target with that.

 

Hope this helps...

 

Kiran

[pooley]

Or you could use a program called RichProfile creator:

 

http://desktopengineer.com/story_20011129081953709

 

Run it in the logon script. Works great! Will do just what you want.

 

Note that it's for Outlook 2000 and Outlook 2002 (Officed XP). For Outlook 2003 you would have to use CIW or CMW from the Office Resource KIT.

 

Or use the /profile switch with the Outlook executable

 

FYI using it with Outlook 2003 with no problems

[scgf]

Thanks for your help guys. Just found our Outlook 2003 CD is cracked :-( Awaiting a replacement.

[NetworkGeezer]

You don't have a backup copy? Tsk tsk

 

If you have schools agreement then you could download it from Microsofts site.

 

@pooley. That's good to know was using newprof until upgraded to 2003.

It would be nice to have a solution which spans mulitple versions.

Was just worried that the last update was in 2002.

[JackyCar]

Check this links out about using prf files and 3rd party tools:

Customizing Outlook Profiles by Using PRF Files

Create an Outlook Profile File (*.PRF)

AutoCreating Outlook Profiles

[techie08]

There is a utility called the Custom Installation Wizard that comes with office resource kit that allows you to configure an outlook profile . prf file and save it. Then all you need to do is deploy this file to the clients.

 

In the profile you can use vars like %USERNAME% etc so you only need to configure 1 profile, and then when the user runs the .prf file it will substitute the correct values.

 

One final thing: Are you really going to give year 6,7 + pupils access to the full outlook client? There is quite a large amount of personal information that can be stored in the global address list.

 

There also does not appear to be much scope for locking down the outlook interface.

 

 

So what folder would i deploy the PRF that i have made?