Outlook: Transfer AutoComplete Addresses to a New Computer

Contributed by shamanstears March 31, 2008  
Tagged: Microsoft Outlook

Quite a few users have become very dependent on Outlook’s AutoComplete to send email to their friends, family, and/or co-workers. If you (or one of your users) are in this group, it makes since to transfer the AutoComplete addresses (along with the Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and of course, email) to a new (or reloaded) computer.

1. Close Outlook.

2. You need to be able to view hidden files, so open My Computer (if you’re using Vista, go to Computer).

Go to the menu bar (if you’re using Vista, press the Alt button on your keyboard to get the menu to appear).

Click Tools and select Folder Options.

Select the View tab.

Under Hidden files and folders make sure the Show hidden files and folders radio button is selected. Also make sure the Hide extensions for known file types checkbox is unchecked.

Click OK.

3. From the My Computer window (again, Computer in Vista) browse to your profile folder in the Documents and Settings directory (if you’re using Vista, your profile folder will be in the Users directory.).

4. Open the Application Data directory, followed by Microsoft and finally, Outlook.

5. Look for the file with an .NK2 extension. This is where the AutoComplete info is contained. Copy the file to the location that contains the exported Contacts, Email, Calendar, etc.

6. On the new computer, go to the desired user profile directory (as in step 3), and go to Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook and paste the .NK2 file

Now when you want to send an email from the new computer, the previous AutoComplete Addresses will show up.