Member Avatar for lostinwindows

I have a Win 7 64 bit machine that has Outlook 2007 on it. The Outlook is standalone there is no Exchange Server. When we moved from our old XP computer to the new computer we moved over the 2 Outlook PST files as well as the .NK2 files.

I am having the problem that when I create a new email message and click on the "To" button, the contact list comes up blank. If I start typing the address I see the frequently used address show up. If I click on the Contacts tab, I do see all my contacts. I have tried searching to find what to do on this. Anything that has seemed worthwhile has always directed me to an option is that is greyed out so I cannot use it.

I would really appreciate any suggestions or ideas on what to check, change, etc.

Thanks in advance

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Dani AI

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As reported, Contacts are visible in the Contacts view and NK2/autocomplete still works, but the Address Book that opens from the To button is empty. As hinted, this almost always means Outlook isn’t pointing to the Contacts folder as an e‑mail Address Book or the Contacts are sitting in a non‑default PST/profile that isn’t exposed to the Address Book.

Try this focused checklist for Outlook 2007:

  1. Backup both PST files first (copy the .pst files elsewhere).
  2. Tools -> Account Settings -> Data Files: note which PST is the default (mail delivery). Contacts should normally live in the default PST or be moved there.
  3. In Contacts view, right‑click the Contacts folder -> Properties -> Outlook Address Book tab: ensure “Show this folder as an e‑mail Address Book” is checked. If that tab is missing, add the provider: Tools -> Account Settings -> Address Books -> New -> select “Outlook Address Book” -> Finish, then restart Outlook.
  4. Open a new message -> To -> in the Address Book window choose Tools -> Options and set “When opening the address book, show this address list first” to the correct Contacts folder.
  5. If Contacts are in a secondary PST, either move them into the default PST (select all -> Move to Folder -> choose the default Contacts) or set that PST as Default on the Data Files tab (note: changing the default affects where new mail is delivered). Restart Outlook after making changes.

If the Address Book still shows empty, recreate the Outlook profile (Control Panel -> Mail -> Show Profiles -> Add), add the PST there, and test again. If corruption is suspected, run the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) on the PST before moving data.

Member Avatar for Perrorist

I had this problem once when I re-installed Windows and Office. I can't remember exactly how I solved it, but it was something to do with Outlook looking in the wrong place for the file. Have you tried importing from the file you've saved?

Member Avatar for lostinwindows

Yes, I did try the import, but it did not change anything.

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