This method uses a package to install Office (including Outlook), then follows up with a command-line task to generate a default Profile that configures Exchange for the currently logged-in user:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE" /ImportPRF OutlookPreferences.PRF
Here are the steps:
1. Download the Outlook XP Resource Kit Tools from Microsoft's site (below), then run the "Custom Installation Wizard". The Custom Installation Wizard walks you through the steps to create a Transform (MST) file. Since you're going to be using a Prism Package instead of an MSI file to install Office (including Outlook), you can discard the MST file after you finish exporting the preferences. You only really need the Wizard for steps 16 through 19. When you get that far, follow the steps in KB article 308300 (link below) to generate and export the PRF file. You can cancel out of the Wizard after that.
2. Build a Prism Package that captures a clean install of Outlook XP. Do not launch and configure Outlook prior to finding changes.
3. Install the Outlook XP Package followed by running the command-line /ImportPRF to generate the currently-logged user's Outlook Profile. There are different ways to accomplish this. a) Modify the Package to add the ImportPRF command-line to the "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce=" registry key. b) Create a Prism Script that first installs the Outlook Package followed by running the ImportPRF command-line. The script might look like the following:
/InstallPackage OfficeXP.pwc
/Run "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE" /ImportPRF c:\OutlookPreferences.PRF
c) Install Outlook XP using a Package Task in the Prism Deployment Console. Then follow-up with a Command Task that runs the ImportPRF command-line. Note that the Import PRF command does not work with Outlook 2000.
We found the tools by visiting the Microsoft sites listed below in the Links section. On the Microsoft downloads page, search for Product = "Office" and Keyword = "Resource Kit".