Autofill Addresses: Managing the NK2 File.

Preserving and Editing the NK2 File
By Mark D. MacLachlan, The Spider's Parlor
markdmac


I recently had a number of discussion regarding the Outlook NK2 files and thought others might benefit from the discussion. If you are not familiar with these files, they are responsible for storing addresses you send email to and presenting the addresses to you as a drop down list in Outlook as you start typing addresses.

I can't tell you how many customers I have run into that treat this as their contacts database and losing it equates to catastrophe to them.

The purpose of this FAQ is to take a brief moment to talk about the NK2 file and document for you specifically where you would find it on pre-Vista (Windows 2000 & Windows XP) and Vista machines since the locations are different.

Additionally I want to discuss how you can edit the NK2 files contents.

For pre-Vista machines, the NK2 is stored in [blue]C:\Documents and Settings\{UserName}\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook[/blue].

On Vista machines, you will find the NK2 file in [blue]C:\Users\{UserName}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook[/blue].

If you have a user moving from one PC to another and they wish to preserve their drop down list in email, you will need to grab their NK2 file and put it in the appropriate path above. Once the file is there, Outlook should begin to use that file.

Most users are unaware of the fact that while the NK2 file automatically adds users to the list as email is sent, it is also possible to delete addresses from the list directly in Outlook. To delete an address, simply start to type the address. When the drop down appears, use the down arrow key to select the address to be removed. Press the delete key and the address is removed.

Beyond simple address deletion, there is a freeware utility that lets you directly add to or remove addresses from the NK2 file. You will find a copy of this utility at [link http://www.1105newsletters.com/lwzgkho_looogwdw.html]NK2.Info[/link].