Outlook 2010: autocomplete function not working

[John Gray]

This applies only to one of the people converted from 2003 to 2010.

When they create a new message and type the first few characters of an email address into the TO box, it is usual to receive a drop-down list of matching email addresses (I think this is called "the autocomplete function"(.

However, this user gets no drop-down box!

I've checked their "Suggested contacts" in Contacts, and this is well-populated. The additional fact that %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.NK2 has been renamed to .old this also means that this Nicknames File must have been converted when 2010 was set up.

Is there something I've missed which would cause the AutoComplete function to work for this user?

Thanks!

[John Gray]

Further information: this function might actually be called AutoSuggest!

And, yes, there is a tick in the box in front of File -> Options -> Mail -> Send Messages "Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names..."

[HansV]

You could try clearing that check box, closing the Outlook Options dialog, then ticking it again.

If that doesn't work, click the button "Empty Auto-Complete List" next to the check box. Quit and restart Outlook to see if the autocomplete list starts building again.

Yet another option:
Quit Outlook.
Rename the folder C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache (Windows Vista/7) or C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache (Windows XP) to for example RoamCacheOld.
Start Outlook and see if the auotcomplete list starts building again.

[John Gray]

I'll have a bash at some of those when they've gone home!

[John Gray]

Unfortunately I've tried all those, and all I've achieved is to stop the people on the GAL from getting their email addresses suggested!

[HansV]

Creating a new e-mail profile is the next suggestion I found...

[John Gray]

I don't like that idea much, except as a last resort, so I will see if I can import the original NK2 file, which contains nearly 800 'nicknames'. That probably won't work since they are already in the Suggested Contacts...

Fortunately this user is on holiday as from Friday!

[John Gray]

It actually seems to have been fixed by

• copying the original Outlook.NK2.old file to Outlook.NK2
• running OUTLOOK.EXE /importNK2

Thanks, Hans, for your suggestions!

[HansV]

Thanks for posting the solution.