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Create a new Outlook profile for all users in a domain

An Outlook profile controls how the application connects to mail servers and stores user data like emails, contacts, and calendars. In an organization, creating a new Outlook profile for all users in a domain ensures consistent settings and reduces configuration errors. This method is especially useful during migrations or server upgrades. Instead of setting up Outlook manually on each system, administrators can automate the process using Group Policy. By running a logon or startup script, the required registry entries are added automatically, so every user gets a ready-to-use Outlook profile that follows the company’s standard configuration and improves overall management efficiency.

Creating a batch file script to create a new Outlook profile

1. Open Notepad, copy and paste the code below based on your Outlook version.

Outlook 2010

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\<name>"
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles" /v DefaultProfile /t REG_SZ /d "<name>" /F
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Exchange\Client\Options" /v PickLogonProfile /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f

Outlook 2013

reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\Profiles\<name>
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook" /v DefaultProfile /t REG_SZ /d "<name>" /F

Outlook 2016

reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Profiles\<name>
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook" /v DefaultProfile /t REG_SZ /d "<name>" /F

2. Save the file as a BAT file.

3. Give permission for the BAT file in the network location accessible for all users.

Create a GPO to Execute a Script at User Logon or Computer Startup

1. Sign in to your Windows Server domain controller (DC).

2. In Server Manager, go to Tools and click on Group Policy Management to open it.

If Group Policy Management is unavailable, you must install it first. In Server Manager, go to Manage → Add Roles and Features and follow the prompts. During the Features step, make sure to select Group Policy Management.

3. In the Group Policy Management console, locate your domain in the left-hand panel, right-click it, and choose Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here.

4. Type a name for your new GPO and press OK to create it.

5. Navigate to the Group Policy Objects container on the menu, find your newly created GPO, right-click it, and select Edit. The Group Policy Management Editor will open.

6. Go to User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Scripts (Logon/Logoff) and double-click Logon

7. In the Logon Properties window, click Add, then select Browse and choose the BAT file you created in the previous step.

8. Press OK twice to confirm and apply the changes.

You can now exit the Group Policy Management console. The script will run automatically for every user at login, and when Outlook is launched, the Outlook Startup Wizard will appear.

The Autodiscover feature should now connect smoothly to the correct new on-premises Exchange server or Office 365 account without issues.

Additional resources:

In this manual

Introduction Create batch file script Execute script at User Logon

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