Allow users to export PST files to archive but restrict users to create PST files on computers

Question

Hi All,

I am testing a GPO to avoid users to create new PST files or add new items in existing PST files as appear on next Microsoft document:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/troubleshoot/outlook-issues/control-pst-use

it works fine and test users cannot create a new PST file or add items on PST files but If I apply the policy, they cannot export PST files to archive in O365 neither.

There are a way to avoid that users create/modify PST files in local computers but allow these users to archive the old PST files in O365? I want to avoid PST files but I want to offer alternative in O365 archive.

Answer 1

Hi @Antonio Tudela ,

Actually, since archiving is the process of writing items into a PST file, it is normal for us to be unable to archive any items to a PST file when you prohibit users from adding new items to an existing PST file through GPO.

So in this case, we may need to allow users to add items to pst file to work with the Archive feature in Outlook.

If you do need to working with "PSTDisableGrow", I would like to know your account type(POP,IMAP or Exchange), if you are working with Exchange account, as an alternative, we could try to enable archive mailbox to archive the items, In-Place Archiving could help you regain control of your organization's messaging data by eliminating the need for personal store (.pst) files.

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