VMware Communities: Message List - Storing Outlook PST on \\.host\Shared folders

Re: Storing Outlook PST on \\.host\Shared folders

jamng — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:58:55 GMT

I just copied the file to where I wanted it to be, then I went to Outlook and selected the PST file. Outlook (File -> Data File Management). Add the PST you wanted (I chose network drives like normal and followed the path to my VMWare shared directory) and then when everything was good, I deleted my "old" PST that was local.

Re: Storing Outlook PST on \\.host\Shared folders

cyw77 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:34:42 GMT

Thanks for all the response. I understand that it is not supported and I am not worried on any data loss. I am currently running low on disk space on my Mac and I do not wish to mirror the folders to create 2 sets of data. I am migrating all my data to the "~~file://\\.host\Shared Folder~~"

I tried the UNC method ~~file://\\macbook\Share Folder~~ and tried to access my pst files but there are some issues. The shared folder on my Mac seems to be read only despite I have shared with Read&Write access for Everyone. So have anyone got any ideas how do I map all my PST files on the Shared Folders?

Re: Storing Outlook PST on \\.host\Shared folders

WoodyZ — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:57:28 GMT

jamng wrote: Not to put words in Woody's mouth, but the way I read his response it sounded like I think Woody was suggesting while it isn't supported by Microsoft he's been doing what you're asking for for quite some time.

Not to worry as you're not putting words in my mouth and you have it right what I said in general however I use standard SMB/CIFS Shares not VMware Shared Folders for this.

That said I wasn't aware it wasn't supported

Have a look at: Personal folder files are unsupported over a LAN or over a WAN link

Re: Storing Outlook PST on \\.host\Shared folders

jamng — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:44:16 GMT

Not to put words in Woody's mouth, but the way I read his response it sounded like I think Woody was suggesting while it isn't supported by Microsoft he's been doing what you're asking for for quite some time.

That said I wasn't aware it wasn't supported and have my PST files on the \\.host\Shared folder for a bit now without any problems as well. I haven't tried putting my OST file there yet.

I made a copy of my PST files to the shared folders, changed the config in Outlook to the correct directories, restarted Outlook and after I checked everything, deleted the original PST files on my local drive.

Re: Storing Outlook PST on \\.host\Shared folders

cyw77 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:26:54 GMT

Hi Woody

Thanks for the prompt response but that was not what I wanted. I know of solutions that does that, but I would prefer if Outlook could just read off the PST from the \\.host\Shared Folders. Or is there any other methods like maybe treating it as a map drive instead?

Do you have other solutions to connect to my Mac shared folders?

Re: Storing Outlook PST on \\.host\Shared folders

WoodyZ — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:38:03 GMT

Technically Outlook doesn't support the .pst database on a Network Share however I've done it for years on normal Windows Networks and with the exception of normal network communication issues that can come about haven't had and issues that would stop me from continuing to do it however I do maintain a sync with a PIM as well as daily backups of my .pst files and am properly prepared to minimize data loss under the circumstances. That said however I would not use VMware Shared Folders for that nor recommend it for the average user. What I'd suggest is leave it on the local drive under Windows and backup the .pst files outside of the Virtual Machine to the Host or NAS, External Drive, USB Flash Drive, etc. This can be automated many different ways to make it easier.

Storing Outlook PST on \\.host\Shared folders

cyw77 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:20:22 GMT

I am wondering is there a possibilities to store all my Outlook PST files in the mirrored folders? Apprently when I tried to move the data location for the PST file to the mirrored folder which is the Z drive, my Outlook just hangs and not responding.

Is there a way that I can make Windows assume that the
.host is actually a network path or something? I tried adding
.host to the trusted intranet zone but this does not resolve the issue. Any help would be appreciated.