This article describes known issues that may arise when a
roaming user uses both Outlook 2002 and earlier versions of Microsoft Outlook.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/297019/)
Personal folder files are unsupported over a LAN or over a WAN link
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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Contact Distribution Lists
Distribution lists that you created in the Outlook 2002 Contacts
folder are not displayed in earlier versions.
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Contact Linking
The
Contact Linking feature of Outlook 2000 is not available with earlier versions.
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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.
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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. |
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Help and Support
