Reset the Nickname and Auto Completion cache in Outlook 2002 (XP) or 2003

by Scott Lowe MCSE | Oct 27, 2006 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Groupware, Microsoft Office, Scott Lowe MCSE, Microsoft Outlook 2002, Microsoft Windows XP, nickname, Microsoft Outlook, E-mail Administration Tips Newsletter

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Takeaway: Outlook's nickname/automatic completion feature is a great time saver but when the information is outdated or corrupt, it can cause trouble.

Outlook's nickname/automatic completion feature is a great time saver for anyone who uses e-mail in even the most mundane capacity. However, when one of those nicknames points to the wrong person, when outdated information stays on the list, or when the feature�s cache becomes corrupt, trouble can ensue.

All of the information used by the nickname and automatic completion feature is stored in a file in each user�s profile directory. After closing Outlook, find this file, and either delete it, or rename it, and Outlook will create a new, empty cache. The name of the file is {profile name}.nk2. Use the Windows search feature to locate and rename or delete this file. Once you've deleted or renamed the file, restart Outlook.

Alternatively, if you just have old, outdated entries on your nickname list, you can remove individual unneeded entries. To do this, from the New Message window, type in the first letter of the person�s nickname. Scroll through the entries on the list using the arrow keys, and press the Delete key once you get to the entry you would like removed.

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