finkkatz
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Eliminating Multiple Contacts Subfolders in MS Outlook 2003 using Exchange Server 2003
Last year my firm migrated from a peer-to-peer network to a MS Small Business Server/Exchange 2003. Ever since that migration, I seem to have two separate "Contacts" subfolders in my "Outlook Address Book" stored on the server. My computer runs on Win XP Pro. This has become a problem because sometimes when I put in a new entry it ends up in one of the two Contacts folders, and sometimes it ends up in the other. One of the folders, I'm not sure which, syncs with my WM 5 OS based PDA/Phone, and the other does not. Frequently I find that when I've entered a new contact using my outlook on my PC (i.e. I use MS Outlook 2003) it doesn't sync because it is in the other "Contact" folder. I cannot seem to direct a contact to one folder versus another. I first realized there were two folders when I clicked on the "To" button after creating a new message. When I do that, a "Select Names" window appears and on the top right of that window there is an option to "Show Names From:" that has a pull down menu under it. In the pulldown menu is a main folder "Outlook Address Book," which contains two subfolders that are named "Contacts." Is there any way to merge these folders? I'm afraid that if I try to delete one I might lose all of my contacts. Anyone have any idea what I can do to resolve this?
ASKER
I see three contact folders in My contacts. One is called "Contacts," one "Contacts in Personal Folders" and the third "Forward Contacts in Personal Folders" I will try copying and pasting the bottom two into the top as you suggested and report back. Thanks.
ASKER
Frankco, I was able to copy and delete the "Forward Contacts in Personal Folders," but the "Contacts" folder and "Contacts in Personal Folders" cannot be deleted, it seems. Both of them have the delete option grayed out when I try to select it. Any other ideas?
Hi finkkatz,
Do you have all of your contacts in the main Outlook address book?
You should not delete the main Contacts folder in the Navigation pane. I'm not sure if that is what you are referring to.
As for the personal folder, look in...
Tools -> Email Accounts -> View or change existing address books
Select your personal address book and click Remove.
Are you saying that you cannot do it this way?
cheers,
frankco
Do you have all of your contacts in the main Outlook address book?
You should not delete the main Contacts folder in the Navigation pane. I'm not sure if that is what you are referring to.
As for the personal folder, look in...
Tools -> Email Accounts -> View or change existing address books
Select your personal address book and click Remove.
Are you saying that you cannot do it this way?
cheers,
frankco
ASKER
Hi Frankco. I did exactly what you said. When I get to the address book window, all that is there is an "Outlook Address Book" that is a "MAPI" type file. Nothing else there to delete. Despite this fact, My Contacts as they appear in the window pane on the left still show "Contacts" and "Contacts in Personal Folders." There are two different sets of contacts that are a little different than one another. This is a mystery. I can't find anyway to delete the second set of Contacts.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Click on the Folder list icon in the Navigation pane, (left side of the Outlook window).
How many contact folders do you see there?
If you see two contact folders, copy the email addesses into your Main contacts (it should be the one below your Calendar icon).
Once you have all of your contacts in the main contact folder....
Then, click on Tools -> Email Accounts -> View or change existing address books
Select your personal address book and click Remove. (Not the Outlook address book).
Let us know how you do.
cheers,
frankco