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Outlook 2007 autocomplete file

My boss's computer runs XP Pro and Office 2007, including Outlook 2007. In Outlook, the autocomplete function empties every time Outlook is shut down; i.e every time it's restarted, it doesn't "remember" and autocomplete any addresses when filling the "To" field.
The most common solution I could find suggested that the nk2 file that stores the addresses was corrupted, and that we should shut down Outlook, find the nk2 file; rename it; then open Outlook and hopefully it would create a new nk2 file that wasn't corrupted and would "remember" entries.
The trouble is, there IS no nk2 file at all. My own computer ALSO runs XP Pro and Outlook 2007. I don't have this problem, and I can locate the nk2 file on my computer. But I've run a search of the entire C drive on the problem computer, and it finds no file with the nk2 extension. I've also made sure that the autocomplete function is turned on in the Outlook settings.
Can anyone help? Would a reinstallation of Office 2007 solve the problem?

war1

Greetings cwthornton1211 !

1. Make sure autocomplete is turned on in Outlook 2007
On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the Preferences tab, click E-mail Options, and then click Advanced E-mail Options.
Clear the Suggest names while completing To, Cc, and Bcc fields check box.

2. The names are kept in a NK2 file. It is a hidden file, so you have unhide hidden files. With Outlook close, search for *.NK2 and rename the file. When Outlook opens, a new one should be created.

.NK2 file is located in
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook folder. It is a hidden file. Go to any folder and select Tools > Folders Options > View. Check "Show hidden files and folders". Click OK.

Best wishes, war1

cwthornton1211

ASKER

Thanks, but I've done all this (I think you helped someone else out previously with the same solution). The new twist here is that there is no NK2 file in the Application Data folder, even after I make sure that hidden files are visible. I did a search of the whole C drive looking for the NK2 extension and nothing was found. What's strange is that the autocomplete function works for any addresses that have previously been used since the last time Outlook was opened. But they're lost once the program has been shut down, then re-opened. Is that possible if no NK2 file is being generated?

war1

The autocomplete info is stored in RAM while Outlook is running. But those addresses should be saved to NK2 file when Outlook closes.

cwthornton1211

ASKER

So am I to understand that, for whatever reason, my boss's Outlook is NOT producing a NK2 file? And is there any way I can get it to start?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

war1

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cwthornton1211

ASKER

I finally found the solution for our particular conundrum at pcreview.com: there was a file with a .nick extension in the Application folder that was preventing an nk2 file from being generated. I deleted the .nick file and Outlook was then able to generate the nk2 file the next time it was started. I'm giving war1 the points since I never would have got there without him. Thanks.

war1

cwthornton1211,

Glad the problem is solved. .NICK extension is from Outlook 2000.

lipari

yes, I have been having the same problem with two users for nearly six months and finally i stumble upon this post, I did a search for .nick which it found one file. I deleted it and TA-DA the auto-complete names now works great. I love looking like a hero to the users around here, especially since the one with the problem is kinda HOT!!!