Outlook add-in 2007 and above Restrict user to save mailItem only under the configured path How to do?

Question

Hello,<o:p></o:p>
I am working on an Outlook add-in, where I have a requirement like - User will be
allowed to configure a permitted folder. Now, if "Save/SaveAs" is
used on any of the MailItem, the user should be allowed to save only within the
permitted folder or any of it's sub folder.<o:p></o:p>
Possible approach I could foresee - <o:p></o:p>
1. Filter the "Save/Save as" dialog so that only the permitted folder or it's
sub folder could be selected. Hence, no need to validate the selected path.<o:p></o:p>
2. Apply validation after the path id selected & check if it falls under the
permitted folder.<o:p></o:p>
Limitations/Issues I am facing<o:p></o:p>
1. In approach 1 above, I could not find a way to restrict the path selection to the
permitted folder.<o:p></o:p>
2. In approach 2 above, I could not find a way to capture the BeforeSave event >
apply the validation > cancel the save with a prompt.　<o:p></o:p>
I also want to develop Word & Excel add-in on similar lines.<o:p></o:p>
Could someone please guide how to proceed on this?<o:p></o:p>
Thanks!<o:p></o:p>
Thanks, <b>Ankit Shah</b> <hr> Inkey Solutions, India. <hr> Microsoft Certified Business Management Solutions Professionals <hr> http://ankit.inkeysolutions.com

Answer 1

You should be aware that using your proposed Outlook addin will not necessarily prevent users from saving mail items to any folder that is accessible to them through the Windows file system.
I was easily able to use drag and drop to copy a mail item from Outlook 2007's inbox folder directly to a folder in the file system that was opened in Windows Explorer.  This would completely bypass your desired restriction.
The same holds true for Outlook 2013.  I had no difficulty using drag and drop to copy a mail item from the inbox to a file system folder.
You may want to investigate other data security alternatives.  Good luck.