How to configure an Outlook 2016 profile using MFCMAPI

The process for creating a Outlook profile in Outlook 2016 has changed. This article documents the simple steps to create one using MFCMAPI.  Note: For non-developers this is not the recommended way of creating profiles in Outlook 2016.  It is recommended that you use Outlook to create the profile as the logic for this is all built-in.  However, you can use these steps for troubleshooting purposes.

  1. Open up MFCMAPI, go to Profile > Show Profiles
  2. Click Actions > Create Profile

  1. Give the new profile a name and click OK.

  1. Select the new profile

  1. Type MSEMS for the service name
  2. Uncheck the box which says "Display Service UI"

  1. Click OK
  2. Double-Click the newly created profile.
  3. Single-Click the MSEMS service.
  4. Find the Exchange Profile section. This is a little difficult in Outlook’s MAPI since in 2010 and above we no longer have the global profile section. To find the Exchange Profile Section find the property PR_EMSMDB_SECTION_UID (0x3D150102) in the properties for the service. The value will be the GUID of the profile section persisted in binary form which will be used in the subsequent steps. You will need to remember this value.
  5. Double-Click the MSEMS service.
  6. Find the Exchange profile section by using the UID gathered from Step 10 and single-click it to select the row.
  7. Go to Property > Additional Properties

  1. Click Add and add the following properties PR_PROFILE_USER_SMTP_EMAIL_ADDRESS_W (0x6641001F) and PR_DISPLAY_NAME_W.

  1. Click OK
  2. Configure each property using the guidance below.
Property: PR_PROFILE_USER_SMTP_EMAIL_ADDRESS_W
Value: SMTP Address of the user
Property: PR_DISPLAY_NAME_W
Value: The display name of the user
  1. Find the property PR_STORE_PROVIDERS in the Exchange profile section.  This is the EMSMDB profile section.  Note the value of it.

  1. Find the corresponding profile section whose UID matches the value of PR_STORE_PROVIDERS.
  2. Repeat Steps 13 - 17 for that profile section too.

  1. Select Session > Logon and display store, and select the profile if it is not already selected.
  2. You may be prompted for credentials, but it should work successfully.

More Information

The display name on the Exchange profile section is not required, but I included it here for simplicity.

In Step 14, it is okay if the property name is not resolved to PR_PROFILE_USER_SMTP_EMAIL_ADDRESS_W.

Sample code can be found here that shows you how to do this programmatically.

If you're creating a profile for an Outlook.com or Hotmail.com address please consult this blog post as well.