How to reset the nickname and the automatic completion caches in Outlook (287623)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
This article was previously published under Q287623

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.

MORE INFORMATION

Use the steps in the following section to reset the Outlook nickname cache for Microsoft Windows XP.
  1. Quit Outlook.
  2. Start Microsoft 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 All files or folders.
  7. In the Search Companion box, type *.NK2 in the All or part of the file name box: box.
  8. In the Look In box, click to select your local hard disk.
  9. Click Search.
  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 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 or Folders box, type *.NK2 in the File Name 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.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/1/2004
Keywords:kbhowto KB287623
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