Learn How to Control the Use of PST Files

For many organizations, the flexibility and usefulness of PST files for users outweigh their faults; so knowing how to effectively manage them can greatly ease your life as an Exchange administrator.

Outlook personal folder files, better known simply as PST files, have been around for a very long time: they were first introduced with the Exchange client that shipped with Exchange 4.0.

PST files allow users to manage their own mail storage and archiving, and for that reason they are widely used within organizations of all sizes. Users love having a convenient, portable, personal message store.

On the other hand, companies want to be able to manage, monitor, and control information on their networks, especially as compliance and electronic discovery have grown in importance since the time when Exchange 4.0 shipped.

Striking the right balance between these two opposing sets of demands is tricky, although Microsoft has tried. This paper discusses

• the broad history and functionality of PST files
• points out some specific dangers and benefits of their use
• describes methods you can use to control (or prevent) the use of PST files in your organization