Storing Outlook messages/Addresses on network drive

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

+Bob+ - 23 Jul 2008 16:59 GMT

How does Outlook (2002) feel about storing it's messages and contact
info on a network drive?

Where do I go to hack this? Is it (like OE) time for a registry hack?

Thanks,

Reply to this Message

K. Orland - 23 Jul 2008 18:08 GMT

If you're talking about an Outlook data file (PST), then the answer is no.
Outlook needs constant read/write access to the PST file and if there is the
smallest interruption to that access, corruption can occur. Microsoft doesn't
even support storing a PST on a networked drive unless it's not in use (ie a
backup) by Outlook.

Signature

Kathleen Orland - MVP Outlook
Outlook Tips: http://www.outlook-tips.net/
http://www.howto-outlook.com/

> How does Outlook (2002) feel about storing it's messages and contact
> info on a network drive?
>
> Where do I go to hack this? Is it (like OE) time for a registry hack?
>
> Thanks,

Reply to this Message

+Bob+ - 24 Jul 2008 01:13 GMT

>If you're talking about an Outlook data file (PST), then the answer is no.
>Outlook needs constant read/write access to the PST file and if there is the
>smallest interruption to that access, corruption can occur. Microsoft doesn't
>even support storing a PST on a networked drive unless it's not in use (ie a
>backup) by Outlook.

Any thoughts on maintaining a fairly dynamic backup on a server then?
I don't like to rely on the client to have the only copy of anything
(all my data files are on the server for backup, sharing, and
reliability... the server has inherent backup).

I don't relish the idea of copy a multi mb pst file to the server each
day.

A follow up question: When I go into the Outlook (2002) options, the
ability to change the store folder is grayed out. Shouldn't I be able
to at least choose a location on a local drive?

Reply to this Message

Brian Tillman - 24 Jul 2008 14:23 GMT

> Any thoughts on maintaining a fairly dynamic backup on a server then?
> I don't like to rely on the client to have the only copy of anything
> (all my data files are on the server for backup, sharing, and
> reliability... the server has inherent backup).

One way is to create a batch job that copies the data store then starts
Outlook, rather than simply starting Outook directly. Another was is the
Personal Folders Backup utility from Microsoft.

> I don't relish the idea of copy a multi mb pst file to the server each
> day.

Multi MB shouldn't take all that long, even on 10 MB Ethernet.

> A follow up question: When I go into the Outlook (2002) options, the
> ability to change the store folder is grayed out. Shouldn't I be able
> to at least choose a location on a local drive?

Tools>E-mail Accounts>Next is where you change the delivery location.

Signature

Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]

Reply to this Message

+Bob+ - 25 Jul 2008 02:09 GMT

>Multi MB shouldn't take all that long, even on 10 MB Ethernet.

Yeah... but anything more than a half a second is an unacceptable
start up delay :-)

>> A follow up question: When I go into the Outlook (2002) options, the
>> ability to change the store folder is grayed out. Shouldn't I be able
>> to at least choose a location on a local drive?
>
>Tools>E-mail Accounts>Next is where you change the delivery location.

Thanks. I was trying to do it through Tools->Options-Mail
Setup-DataFiles. I guess it's read only there.

Reply to this Message