This article will teach you how to export Microsoft Outlook 2007 AutoComplete information. The procedure is quite simple and does not require advanced Outlook 2007 skills.
When you start entering the first letters of an email address in the TO: field, while composing a new message, Outlook gives you some suggestions of previously used addresses. In order to export Outlook 2007 AutoComplete information you have to copy a file with the .nk2 extension which Outlook 2007 uses to store this information. As you may know if you have tried to export mail and addresses file locations differ based on the operating system you use. In Windows XP the AutoComplete .nk2 file is located in C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. In Windows 7 and Windows Vista the same file is located in c:\users\user_name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook. In the case of both paths user_name should be replaced with the name of the user who’s AutoComplete you want to transfer. Before copying anything you should make sure that Windows shows hidden and system files. For Windows 7 you can do that here.
Copy the .nk2 (AutoComplete) file:
- Go to the location of the file in your operating system.
- Right click on the .nk2 (Outlook.nk2 is default) file and click on Copy.
- Go to the backup location and paste it there.
You now have the AutoComplete information which you can use for disaster recovery or simply for importing it to another computer with Outlook 2007.
Tags: backup, export autocomplete, Outlook, outlook 2007
this truly assists, now i happen the problems and i donot know how to work out,
i search bing and discovered your blog,
thanks once morejust one thing, may i post this article on my site? i will add the source.regards!
Hello and welcome!
You may post the article if you want to do it. There is no problem in that. I’m glad it helped!
I am having a hard time finding my .nk2 file. went to the location, didn’t see it. Searched for *nk2, didn’t see it. I do see a file simply called “outlook” same type (outlook data file) icon and location as your pictured .nk2 file, but without the .nk2 extension. same thing?
Go to Tools->Folder Options->View and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. You should now see the extension of the file. If you don’t see a Tools menu press the Alt key on your keyboard.
I recently upgraded my computer and now I’m running windows 7. I use to run windows XP.
I tried the above solution but it did not work at all. Is there any other solution or am I stuck because of my recent upgrade?
@Billy – Did you manage to locate the nk2 file?
Hello All,
For Windows 7, make sure you go to Appdata/Roaming/Microsoft/Outlook folder and not Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
Good luck!
I have located the Outlook.NK2 file, however when I try to open it I am told that it can not be read, or given the option to select a program that will read it. None of the ones on my computer will. Do I need an NK2 Reader program on my computer to get it to open?
Thanks so much!
Try this: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/recover_corrupted_nk2_files.html
Hope it helps!
Can I open the file without downloading NK2Edit on my computer? I am trying to extract a bunch of people’s suggested contact list for a mass email distribution list at my work. It is not practical to download NK2Edit onto everyone’s computers because there are over 40. Do you know any way to do this without NK2Edit?
Sorry! This is the only way that I know of.
The instructions work 100%. Thanks contributor !