OL97: How to Migrate Custom Categories to Other Users

• Microsoft Outlook 97

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SUMMARY

In Outlook 97 you can add new categories to the default Master Category List. This article describes how to share a modified Master Category List With other users.

MORE INFORMATION

To share the Master Category List, you must export the Categories key from the registry and distribute this key to other users.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

If you are using Windows NT Server or Workstation version 4.0, The procedures will be different and varied.

For information about how to backup the System registry in Windows NT, Please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q164931
   TITLE     : Using Regedit to Backup Your Windows NT Registry

To Export the Categories Key from the Registry

1. Click the Start button and click Run.

2. Type regedit in the Open window and click OK.

3. Navigate to the following registry key:

         HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Outlook\Categories
   

4. Click the Categories entry and on the Registry menu click Export Registry File.

5. Select a location for the file such as the Desktop or a disk, type a name for the file such as "Categories" then click Save.

CAUTION: This procedure will overlay the existing Master Categories List on the receiving computer. Any changes made to that file will be lost.

NOTE: It is possible for your records to contain user-defined Categories that are not stored in the Windows Registry. To insure that they are in the Registry, you must add them to the Master Category List as follows:

1. Click Edit on the File menu and click Categories or in a new Mail, Appointment, Contact, Task, or Journal item, click the Categories button.

2. In the Category dialog box, type a name for the new Category.

3. Click on "Add to List."

4. Click on OK.

REFERENCES

NOTE: For more information about how to restore Outlook's default Master Category List, type "Master Category List" in the Office Assistant, click Search, and then click "Reset the Master Category List."

Keywords          : GnlCat
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto kbinfo