Where do Outlook's auto-complete suggestions come from?

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I think I have the answer to my own question. See above for my question. My problem is that I was upgrading Outlook to 2003 from a prior version. Apparently it tries to use the old .nick file. You have to go find it and change the extension. Mine was at C:/DocsSettings/default/Application Data/Microsoft/Outlook. But at least in XP, the .nick doesn't show and I don't know how to change the extension. So, I just moved it completely.

Next, open outlook and chose the repair function. After it runs, close and then reboot. Mine seems to be working fine now and even when I close outlook and reopen, the nickname list still works and I don't have to start over repopulating.

Hope this works for you too.

DWay

So start an email, type start typing an address and it'll try to match to your recent cache. Highlight the one in the list that you want to remove (use the arrow keys) then do a shift+delete. Restart outlook, try typing that name again, the one you removed should not reappear.

Hi,

We use Outlook 2003 (up to date)with Exchange 2003 SP1. When you are typing a name in the TO field and you push CTRL+M, Outlook searches the address book. I think it searches only by last name. I want it to also search for the first name. Is this possible?
I just read you didn`t know the answer a year ago, I hope you do now. Thanks!

Fred

Actually I use CTRL+K which searches both.

We use outlook 2003 and exchange server / SBS2003. I renamed user Angela in exchangeserver to Maria von Trapp. Now it displays the new user BUT between brakets still the old username in the nicknamelist. Deleting this name and re-entering it, doesn't delete the old name.

It looks like:

Maria von Trapp

Where comes the ANGELA from? Should be MARIA.

Thanks! Aernoud

I HAVE DISCOVERED A WAY TO ADD EMAIL ADDRESSES TO THE AUTOCOMPLETE LIST!!! Using the calendar function within Outlook, schedule a meeting and invite others to the meeting. Once you send this meeting request, all invitees will be added to your autocomplete list!!!

HERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO ADD EMAIL ADDRESSES TO THE AUTOCOMPLETE LIST:

Draft New Email
In the To: field, type the last name of the person.
Click outside the To: box and wait until a squiggly red line appears under the name.
Right click the red squiggly line and select the correct person.
Close the email. (You do not need to send)
Note: THis may only work with your network emails)

You can't find the outlook.NK2 file because you need to tell windows explorer to "Show hidden and system file". GOOGLE that and you should be able to locate it as the hidden folders and files will become visible.

Peace out Mr. Baker

This is a handy freewhere for working with .NK2 files:
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/outlook_nk2_autocomplete.html

Nice write-up here as well explaining what it is and how to control

http://www.groovypost.com/howto/microsoft/outlook/clear-the-outlook-email-address-auto-complete-cache/

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