How to reset the nickname and the automatic completion caches in Outlook

This article was previously published under Q287623

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• SUMMARY
• MORE INFORMATION
• Fix it for me
• Let me fix it myself
• Outlook 2010
• Method 1
• Method 2
• Outlook 2002 through Outlook 2007
• Did this fix the problem?

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SUMMARY

Microsoft Outlook maintains a nickname list that is used by both the automatic name checking and the automatic completion features. The nickname list is automatically generated as you use Outlook. If the nickname cache is corrupted, Outlook may not be able to identify recipients, may offer incorrect recipients when automatically completing the e-mail address, or may send the message to the wrong person.

Unlike earlier versions of Outlook that store the nickname cache in a file on your hard drive, Outlook 2010 stores the nickname cache in your primary message store. For example, if you are using a Microsoft Exchange Server account, your nickname cache is stored in a hidden message in your mailbox.

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MORE INFORMATION

How to remove nickname cache entries, one at a time

Outlook 2010

1. Open a new email message.
2. Type the first few characters of the nickname cache entry that you want to remove from the cache.
3. When the entry appears in the "suggested names" list, move your mouse pointer over the name until it becomes highlighted. (But do not click the name).
4. When the “X” icon appears next to the highlighted name, click X to remove the name from the list.

Outlook 2007 or Outlook 2003

1. Open a new email message.
2. Type the first few characters of the nickname cache entry that you want to remove from the cache.
3. When the entry appears in the "suggested names" list, use the UP and DOWN arrow keys on your keyboard to select the entry, and then press DELETE on your keyboard.

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How to clear the whole nickname cache

To have us clear the whole nickname cache for you, go to the "Fix it for me" section. If you prefer to fix this problem yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.

Fix it for me

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix it button or link. Click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

Fix this problem
Microsoft Fix it 50586

Notes

• This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.
• If you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem.

Then, go to the "Did this fix the problem?" section.

Let me fix it myself

Outlook 2010

Use one of the following methods to reset the whole Outlook nickname cache for Microsoft Outlook 2010.

Method 1

1. With Outlook 2010 open, click File (BackStage), and then click Options.
2. Click the Mail tab.
3. Under Send Messages, click Empty Auto-Complete List.

Outlook will generate a new nickname cache.

Method 2

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Start Outlook by using the /CleanAutoCompleteCache switch.
   
   For example: Outlook.exe /CleanAutoCompleteCache
   
   Note If Outlook is not installed in the default location, you must point to the path of Outlook.exe.

Outlook will generate a new nickname cache.

Outlook 2002 through Outlook 2007

Windows 7 or Windows Vista: Use the following steps to reset the whole Outlook nickname cache.

1. Exit Outlook.
2. Click Start, and then click Computer.
3. Click Organize, and then click Folder and search options.
4. On the View tab, click to enable the Show hidden files, folders, and drives option.
5. Click OK.
6. On the Start menu, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Run.
7. In the Run dialog box, type the following command (including the quotation marks), and then click OK:
   
   “C:\ Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook”
   
   NoteUsername in this path is the name of the currently logged on Windows user.
8. Right-click the .NK2 file that has name of the profile that you want to reset, and then click Rename.
9. Rename the file as profilename.bak, and then press ENTER.
10. Start Outlook.
    

Windows XP: Use the following steps to reset the whole Outlook nickname cache.

1. Quit Outlook.
2. Click Start, and then click Search.
3. In the Search Companion left-side panel, click All files or folders.
4. In the All or part of the file name: box, type *.NK2.
5. In the Look In box, click to select your local hard disk.
6. Click More advanced options, click to select Search hidden files and folderscheck box.
7. Click Search.
8. Right-click the .NK2 file with the name of the profile that you want to reset, and then click Rename.
9. Rename the file to profilename.bak, and then press ENTER.
10. Quit Windows Explorer.
11. Restart Outlook.

Outlook will generate a new nickname cache.

Use the steps in the following section to reset the Outlook nickname cache for both Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me).

1. Quit Outlook.
2. Start Windows Explorer.
3. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
4. Under Advanced Settings, click to select the Show hidden files and folders check box.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
7. In the Search for Files and Folders box, type *.NK2 in the Search for files or folders named box.
8. In the Look In box, click to select your local hard disk.
9. Click Search Now.
10. Right-click the .NK2 file with the name of the profile that you want to reset, and then click Rename.
11. Rename the file to profilename.bak, and then press ENTER.
12. Quit Windows Explorer.
13. Restart Outlook.

Outlook will generate a new nickname cache.

Use the steps in the following section to reset the Outlook nickname cache for both Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and Microsoft Windows 98:

1. Quit Outlook.
2. Start Windows Explorer.
3. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
4. Under Advanced Settings, click to select the Show all files check box.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
7. In the Named box, type *.NK2.
8. In the Look In box, click to select your local hard disk.
9. Click Find Now.
10. Right-click the .NK2 file with the name of the profile that you want to reset, and then click Rename.
11. Rename the file to profilename.bak, and then press ENTER.
12. Quit Windows Explorer.
13. Restart Outlook.

Outlook will generate a new nickname cache.

Did this fix the problem?

• Check whether the problem is fixed. If the problem is fixed, you are finished with this section. If the problem is not fixed, you can contact support.
• We would appreciate your feedback. To provide feedback or to report any issues with this solution, please leave a comment on the "Fix it for me" blog or send us an email.

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