How to disable the AutoArchive feature and the Personal Folders file feature in Outlook (258277)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 98
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
This article was previously published under Q258277
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

You may want to deploy Outlook with the AutoArchive and personal folder file (.pst) capabilities disabled. This article describes how to disable the AutoArchive and personal folder file features in Outlook and describes the Outlook options that are impacted if you disable these features.

MORE INFORMATION

Disabling the AutoArchive and Personal Folder File Features

To disable the AutoArchive feature in Outlook:

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
  1. Quit all programs.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  4. Locate one of the following keys in the registry, as applicable:
    • For Outlook 98:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Outlook\

    • For Outlook 2000:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook\

  5. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:

    Value Name: DisablePst
    Data Type: REG_DWORD
    Value: 1

  6. Quit Registry Editor.

Outlook Options Impacted

  • If you click Tools, click Options, and then click the Other tab, the AutoArchive section is hidden. You cannot set AutoArchive options.
  • The AutoArchive tab in each Folder Property dialog box is hidden.
  • All of the AutoArchive settings that were previously set are no longer enabled. For example, if you previously configured AutoArchive to move messages older than six months from your Sent Items folder to a personal folder file, this feature no longer functions.
  • On the File menu, the Archive command is hidden.
  • On the File menu, the Open Personal Folders File (.pst) command is hidden.
  • On the File menu, the Import and Export command no longer imports or exports to a .pst file. If you choose this command, the following message is displayed:

    PST (Personal Storage) usage is disabled on this computer.

NOTE: After you add the DisablePst registry key, users can still add the Personal Folder service to their profiles.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/28/2005
Keywords:kbregistration kbhowto KB258277
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