How to roam by using different Outlook versions on different computers (287730)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
This article was previously published under Q287730
For a Microsoft Outlook 2000 (CW) version of this article, see 222339.

SUMMARY

This article describes known issues that may arise when a roaming user uses both Outlook 2002 and earlier versions of Microsoft Outlook.

MORE INFORMATION

Outlook 2002 stores data in a different location in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry key. Because of this difference, several settings do not roam when you switch between Outlook 2002 and a previous version of Outlook.

User Profiles

To use multiple computers, the Outlook user profile name must be the same on every computer that the user logs on. Using the profile owner's name or e-mail alias as the profile name is a good way to obtain this consistency.

First Run

If you use a computer where Outlook 2002 has been installed but has never been through the First Run step, the Profile Wizard starts even though you have a profile on the server. To set the Mail Support registry entry for Outlook, you must follow the wizard through the First Run process. This setting is on a per-machine basis rather than a per-user basis.

Personal Folders (.pst) Files and Personal Address Books

Microsoft does not support accessing personal folder files (.pst files) that are stored on a network share. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

297019 Personal folder files are unsupported over a LAN or over a WAN link

How to Use Offline Storage (.ost) files

Outlook 2002 and 2000 are designed to roam while you use an offline storage (.ost) file, however Microsoft Outlook 98 is not. When you use an .ost file and you roam between a computer by using Outlook 2002, and a computer using an earlier version of Outlook prior to 2000, you may receive the following error message:
Unable to open your default mail folders. The Exchange Server has detected that you are using an old copy of your OST file. Please delete the file...

Outlook Bar Shortcuts

The Outlook Bar for Outlook 2002 provides for shortcuts to executable (.exe) files and URL's. These shortcuts do not function when used in earlier versions of Outlook and generate an error message. Also, the Outlook Bar file (<profile name>.fav) can be overwritten when you log off the computer.

Quick Launch Icon

The Outlook 2002 icon that is placed in the Quick Launch Bar does not function on a computer that is running earlier versions of Outlook.

Rules Wizard Rules

Outlook 2002 includes improvements in the Rules Wizard. When you create a rule by using a feature that is only available with Outlook 2002, you receive the following warning:

You are creating a rule that will be incompatible with versions of Outlook earlier than Outlook 2002. If you create this rule, you cannot use your rules with Outlook 98 and earlier versions. For more information, search for help on "Upgrading Rules". Are you sure you want to create this rule?"

Rules that do not contain Outlook 2002-specific features roam. Rules that contain Outlook 2002-specific features do not roam.

Folder Home Pages

Outlook 2002 offers Home pages for folders. This feature is not available with versions prior to 2000, and you cannot access these Home pages with those earlier versions.

Toolbars and Menus

Modifications that you made to the Outlook toolbars with Outlook 2002 only roam if the feature or action was available with earlier versions. When you roam from Outlook 2002 to an earlier version, you can expect the following behavior:
  • Macros are not advertised if they were added to the toolbar.
  • Features new and specific to Outlook 2002 are not advertised when they are viewed on an earlier version.
  • The Web toolbar is not available when you use an earlier version.
  • The Recently Used feature is not available on an earlier version.

Electronic Forms Designer (EFD) Forms and Custom Forms

You may receive the following error message when you roam between computers that use the Microsoft Windows NT File System (NTFS) and computers that use the File Allocation Table (FAT) file system:
The custom form could not be opened. Outlook will use an Outlook form instead.
Forms that you open on one file system type do not open on the other because NTFS uses long file names, while FAT uses the standard 8.3 file names. To resolve this behavior, rename the Frmcache.dat file on the 2nd (FAT) computer, and then re-download the forms.

Contact Distribution Lists

Distribution lists that you created in the Outlook 2002 Contacts folder are not displayed in earlier versions.

Contact Linking

The Contact Linking feature of Outlook 2000 is not available with earlier versions.

Contact Name Format Settings

Changes that you make to the default "Full Name" format and the default "File As" order in Contacts options do not roam.

Settings and Options That Do Not Roam

  • The Close original message on reply or forwardand the Display a notification message when new mail arrivesoptions. To access these settings, on the Tools menu, click Options. On the Preferences tab, click E-mail Options.
  • The Advanced E-mail option. To access these settings, on the Tools menu, click Options. On the Preferences tab, click E-mail Options, and then click Advanced E-mail Options.
  • The Tracking Options option. To access these settings, on the Tools menu, click Options. On the Preferences tab, click E-mail Options, and then click Tracking Options.
  • The Message Format Options option. To access these settings, on the Tools menu, click Options. On the Mail Format tab, is the Message Format section,(including Use Microsoft Word to edit e-mail messages).
  • The General Options option. To access these settings, on the Tools menu, click Options. On the Spelling tab, click the General Options.
  • Startup in Outlook Today.
  • Custom signatures in the Signature Picker.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/12/2006
Keywords:kbinfo kbhowto KB287730
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