PST Folders - best way to scan network - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Bratwurst · 08-11-2005, 07:43 AM

I have a suspicion that a lot of users on my network have begun to use PST folders to store their mail instead of leaving it on the exchange server, which is subject to purges on occasion of older mail.

I have been asked to find out which users on the network are doing so. Is there a quick and easy way to do this instead of running a manual search on each hard drive?

I use a login script via kixtart (www.kixtart.org) that searches to make sure that certain programs are installed, like Symantec antivirus. Does anyone know if this is possible via login script?

Thanks for any help.

Bratwurst · 08-11-2005, 08:12 AM

So far, I'm looking towards getting some kind of auditing software, like www.ezaudit.com

Any other ideas?

I found a way to make kixtart find a pst, but only if it is stored in the default folder, which isn't going to be comprehensive enough.

vanblah · 08-11-2005, 08:29 AM

There's the command line utility FIND. You might be able to build a script with that that searches the entire network. Of course, the machines would have to be on for any kind of search to work.

If you make backups of user desktops you might be able to search the indexes of your backups depending on what software you use to back up.

WillyPete · 08-11-2005, 12:08 PM

Couldn't you also search their registry settings via a VB script? Much quicker.

Scan all the ntuser files in their profile locations.

spindles · 08-14-2005, 06:59 PM

you could also do a dir *.pst /s > <networkhomedirectory>pst.txt. From there you have on your network a set of pst.txt files for each user which I would search using textpad (or other "find in files" utility.

08-11-2005, 07:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bratwurst Insane Location: La la land	PST Folders - best way to scan network I have a suspicion that a lot of users on my network have begun to use PST folders to store their mail instead of leaving it on the exchange server, which is subject to purges on occasion of older mail. I have been asked to find out which users on the network are doing so. Is there a quick and easy way to do this instead of running a manual search on each hard drive? I use a login script via kixtart (www.kixtart.org) that searches to make sure that certain programs are installed, like Symantec antivirus. Does anyone know if this is possible via login script? Thanks for any help. __________________ 40

08-11-2005, 08:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bratwurst Insane Location: La la land	So far, I'm looking towards getting some kind of auditing software, like www.ezaudit.com Any other ideas? I found a way to make kixtart find a pst, but only if it is stored in the default folder, which isn't going to be comprehensive enough. __________________ 40

08-14-2005, 06:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
spindles Mine is an evil laugh Location: Sydney, Australia	you could also do a dir *.pst /s > <networkhomedirectory>pst.txt. From there you have on your network a set of pst.txt files for each user which I would search using textpad (or other "find in files" utility. __________________ who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

08-11-2005, 08:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
vanblah Junkie	There's the command line utility FIND. You might be able to build a script with that that searches the entire network. Of course, the machines would have to be on for any kind of search to work. If you make backups of user desktops you might be able to search the indexes of your backups depending on what software you use to back up.

08-11-2005, 12:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
WillyPete Addict	Couldn't you also search their registry settings via a VB script? Much quicker. Scan all the ntuser files in their profile locations.