Helder_Hipolito
asked on
PRF Automated via Loginscript ??
Hello,
I was trying to follow instructions on how to auto-configure Outlook2003.
What i would like to do is if a user needs to moves desks when i'm not around, that their
email automatically gets setup.
I've created a PRF with CIW.
I've tested the PRF on a freshing installed computer with outlook 2003
By going to command prompt
using the chang dir option all the way to C:\program files\microsoft office\office11 and
then type outlook.exe /importprf "\\MYServer\OUTLOOKProfile
outllook sets it self up fine.
What I'm hoping to accomplish is fully making this automated via loginscript or just doing something on the local computer that will setup any new user to the computer being logged into. So when the double click Outllook, it's already setup.
I've tried already removing the First Run reg entries, and adding the ImportPRF (which i think i'm not doing right)
Can anyone that knows how to accomplish this automation, please let me know.
I was trying to follow instructions on how to auto-configure Outlook2003.
What i would like to do is if a user needs to moves desks when i'm not around, that their
email automatically gets setup.
I've created a PRF with CIW.
I've tested the PRF on a freshing installed computer with outlook 2003
By going to command prompt
using the chang dir option all the way to C:\program files\microsoft office\office11 and
then type outlook.exe /importprf "\\MYServer\OUTLOOKProfile
outllook sets it self up fine.
What I'm hoping to accomplish is fully making this automated via loginscript or just doing something on the local computer that will setup any new user to the computer being logged into. So when the double click Outllook, it's already setup.
I've tried already removing the First Run reg entries, and adding the ImportPRF (which i think i'm not doing right)
Can anyone that knows how to accomplish this automation, please let me know.
ASKER
Hmmm.. I'm probably doing something wrong but that script you gave is not working for me?
Is there anything else i can try?
Is there anything else i can try?
How do you run your login scripts?
The old fashioned way with a script entry in each user account (which I still do on some sites), or via group policy?
It certainly will go out via a login script because I have done it.
Simon.
The old fashioned way with a script entry in each user account (which I still do on some sites), or via group policy?
It certainly will go out via a login script because I have done it.
Simon.
ASKER
What we have are old fashioned logon scripts, which everyone in this location uses. Example Logon.bat
If there's a way to also have the script to only run when configuration is needed, (Insted of each time a user logs in having to have outlook launch) that would be nice. But thats probably pushing it.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
If there's a way to also have the script to only run when configuration is needed, (Insted of each time a user logs in having to have outlook launch) that would be nice. But thats probably pushing it.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Getting the file to run only when required is quite simple. Get the script to write a file to the machine when it is finished and then detect that file in the script. I will usually put the file in %userprofile% - that way the user can get at the file and delete it if required under direction of the help desk. Log off and everything runs again.
Drop the prf file in to the netlogon share with the login script - that should allow it to run correctly, without having to worry about connecting to anything else.
There is a way to set the PRF location via a registry change. That might be better for you and basically what happens if you deploy Outlook with the custom installation wizard. Run the registry change in the login script instead.
I will need to research that further though.
Simon.
Drop the prf file in to the netlogon share with the login script - that should allow it to run correctly, without having to worry about connecting to anything else.
There is a way to set the PRF location via a registry change. That might be better for you and basically what happens if you deploy Outlook with the custom installation wizard. Run the registry change in the login script instead.
I will need to research that further though.
Simon.
ASKER
Does anyone have a sample script they could post for me to try . I tried creating one before but no luck.
Thanks to anyone that can help.
Thanks to anyone that can help.
ASKER
Also guys... Just looking at some other settings.
i was looking through my registry and i dont see ImportPRF,
Do i create a new key, string value etc...I saw this (pasted below) and i was going to try it to see if that could help me out.
From white paper
In the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
subkey, set the value of ImportPRF to a string value that specifies the name
and path of the PRF file. For example, set ImportPRF to
\\server1\share\outlook.pr
i was looking through my registry and i dont see ImportPRF,
Do i create a new key, string value etc...I saw this (pasted below) and i was going to try it to see if that could help me out.
From white paper
In the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
subkey, set the value of ImportPRF to a string value that specifies the name
and path of the PRF file. For example, set ImportPRF to
\\server1\share\outlook.pr
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ASKER
Hmmm...
I'm using a freshing imaged computer.
I logged on as the local administrator on the computer went to Regedit.
Then i went to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
Under HKEY_LOCALMACHINE\Software
So i double clicked OUTLOOK and cancel the setup and the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
First-Run key is not there (I know i can just delete that value anyways)
I add
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
Name: ImportPrf
Value: \\MyServer\shared\OUTLOOKP
Type: String Value
And it still does not run? Am i missing something.
I'm using a freshing imaged computer.
I logged on as the local administrator on the computer went to Regedit.
Then i went to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
Under HKEY_LOCALMACHINE\Software
So i double clicked OUTLOOK and cancel the setup and the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
First-Run key is not there (I know i can just delete that value anyways)
I add
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
Name: ImportPrf
Value: \\MyServer\shared\OUTLOOKP
Type: String Value
And it still does not run? Am i missing something.
ASKER
Okay... I added the entries in manually and exported the Reg... Now when i log into machine with a new user and double click the reg file it will work perfectly.
So i know i can add it into a login script now, but is there a way that I can avoid loading it in via logon script. And putting into the registry so it keeps it for all users?
My Scenario not having it in the login script
Currently i have a user named "Fake User" i add in the reg entries manually. Setups up mailbox perfectly.
Then when i log in as "Fake User2" I have to add the entries once again , this happens with every additional user.
I just want to add it in once on the local machine. Is that even possible?
Also Sembee I'm going to look for info about finding profiles.
So i know i can add it into a login script now, but is there a way that I can avoid loading it in via logon script. And putting into the registry so it keeps it for all users?
My Scenario not having it in the login script
Currently i have a user named "Fake User" i add in the reg entries manually. Setups up mailbox perfectly.
Then when i log in as "Fake User2" I have to add the entries once again , this happens with every additional user.
I just want to add it in once on the local machine. Is that even possible?
Also Sembee I'm going to look for info about finding profiles.
ASKER
Hey Sembee,
I found what to do with get it to detect if the profile already exits and you dont override it. In your PRF open it in NotePad
Change OverwriteProfile to No (this wont affect any existing profiles) And currently have everything up and running via logon script.
[General]
Custom=1
ProfileName=MyProfile
DefaultProfile=Yes
OverwriteProfile=No
ModifyDefaultProfileIfPres
Thanks For your Help.
I found what to do with get it to detect if the profile already exits and you dont override it. In your PRF open it in NotePad
Change OverwriteProfile to No (this wont affect any existing profiles) And currently have everything up and running via logon script.
[General]
Custom=1
ProfileName=MyProfile
DefaultProfile=Yes
OverwriteProfile=No
ModifyDefaultProfileIfPres
Thanks For your Help.
The presence or not of some of those keys indicates whether Outlook has already been run, or is in the first run state. That seems to play a part in whether the prf file is used.
Looking at a machine with an Outlook configured, I think the first run key I have outlined above is also the equivalent of no key. Therefore if you need to ensure that it has been reset setting the binary code to all zeros neutralises it.
You might also want to look at mapigen here: http://www.xirvsoftware.com/corporate.html
That will generate the profiles for you as well.
Simon.
Looking at a machine with an Outlook configured, I think the first run key I have outlined above is also the equivalent of no key. Therefore if you need to ensure that it has been reset setting the binary code to all zeros neutralises it.
You might also want to look at mapigen here: http://www.xirvsoftware.com/corporate.html
That will generate the profiles for you as well.
Simon.
you can on login script use something like this o the login script
if not exist c:\%userneme%.outlook.log goto install-outlook
goto end
:install-outlook
C:\program files\microsoft office\office11\outlook.ex
echo %date% %time% > c:\%userneme%.outlook.log
:end