Changing Exchange server settings on Outlook 2007 for all machines
Hi All
We just recently discovered that the way we deployed Outlook 2007 in our environment last year using MSP file where Server name is hardcoded instead of Auto. Now we just recently merge our domain with another domain and exchange server name is changed.
There are around 700 machines that are showing issues relating with wrong server pointer. I just check group policy ADM template thinking we might be able to change server settings through group policy but no avail.
Can you please advise some methods or way where we canmake these 700 machines pointing to right server.
Thanks & Regards
Veday
Server Engineer
February 8th, 2011 1:45am
You could either use an MST to change the Outlook settings and apply that to your original deployment which would be the preferred method, or use a 3rd party paid app to change it.
If it were me i'd look at the ORK first try the MST or maybe even add the adm file for Outlook 2007 to the AD see if you can change it there, i've not tried the last one but the first 2 work just fine.
Cheers
Phil
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 8th, 2011 5:03am
You can always mess around with the old exprofre tool. PRF files are still supported up to Outlook 2010. You can run this tool thru a login script to modify the profile when the user logs on
February 8th, 2011 2:17pm
There's an admin template for Outlook 2007 GPO deployment. You should be able to make this work.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 8th, 2011 3:06pm
Thanks PCalvert/Iafontma/Jose for your replies.
Initially we use MSP file to deploy Outlook 2007. That means we can create mst file now to do modification on existing settings. I read at below link that you cannot add an transform once you already deployed the package which is contradictory statement
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/30558883/using-msp-files.aspx
"Keep in mind that an MST is not a patch. It is simply a modification of the
default set of install instructions in the MSI. Second, you can not add an
MST (transform) once you've already deployed the package. That is by design
based on the way MSTs are cached by the client. So, you would have to
recreate the package to add the MST".
Just another quick query, In msp file, where it says Specify Exchange Server settings, if i tick Do not configure an Exchange server connection, will it autmatically configures machine to do Auto discovery?
Good to know, exprofre tool can work on Outlook 2007. I will explore and tesxt this option as well.
Hi Jose,
You mean I can use Group policy to change server name on machines? That would be perfect but no where in Office2007GroupPolicyAndOCTSettings template I could find option to change server name. Can anyone please point me in right direction.
Thanks & Regards
Veday
Server Engineer
February 8th, 2011 6:19pm
Thanks PCalvert/Iafontma/Jose for your replies.
I will do some testing, how I can deploy MST through group policy. If I dont put any server name in MST file, will it autmatically configures machine to do Auto discovery?
Good to know, exprofre tool can work on Outlook 2007. I will explore and tesxt this option as well.
Hi Jose,
You mean I can use Group policy to change server name on machines? That would be perfect but no where in Office2007GroupPolicyAndOCTSettings template I could find option to change server name. Can anyone please point me in right direction.
Thanks & Regards
Veday
Server Engineer
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 8th, 2011 6:19pm
Veday,
I've had a look and downloaded the ADM file, the ADM file Outlk12.adm has settings for exchange that should help the setting is located
User Configurations
Policies
Administrative Templates: Policy definitions (ADM)
Classic Administrative Templates (ADM)
Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
Exchange
Setting: Automatically configure profile based on Active Directory Primary SMTP address
The exchange system should and I stress should then pick up your email server. I haven't tested it in our enviroment but it looks like it will do what you need.
Thanks
Phil
February 9th, 2011 9:35am
Thanks pcalvert
Management is particular not comfortable with the group policy option – as it relies on an AD attribute and may cause an issue
on first boot if the policy isn’t applied yet. It also doesn’t cleanup the underlying issue.
We are now planning to use updated MSP file to deploy it via group policy or Active Directory.
regards
Veday
Server Engineer
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 9th, 2011 10:58pm