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What is the AutoComplete/Nickname cache in Outlook ?

When you send a new message or reply to one, the email address is remembered by Outlook and the next time you send a message to that person, you can type just a few letters and it automatically completes for you.

Outlook maintains an AutoComplete (also known as ’Nickname’) cache. This cache file is stored locally on your computer - it is not stored on the Exchange server.

IMPORTANT: AutoComplete is not a good substitute for storing addresses in contacts because you are then reliant on a single file stored on your computer.

Occasionally, you will have addresses in the cache file that you don’t want saved. See below for instructions to delete a single entry in the AutoComplete/Nicknames cache.

If the AutoComplete/Nickname cache file becomes corrupt, Outlook may not be able to identify recipients, may offer incorrect recipients, may send to an incorrect or old email address, or may send the message to the wrong person. In this case, you can clear the entire cache. See below for instructions to clear the AutoComplete/Nicknames cache.

Why can’t I see new addresses in my AutoComplete/Nickname cache?

New addresses are not added to the cache file until you end the current Outlook session. If Outlook crashes or does not close properly, additions to the cache may not be written to the cache file. The cache file has a limit of 1000 of the most recently used addresses.

How do I clear a single entry in my AutoComplete/Nickname cache?

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 list of suggested names, 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

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 list of suggested names, use the UP and DOWN arrow keys on your keyboard to select the entry, and then press DELETE on your keyboard

How do I clear my AutoComplete/Nickname Cache file? 

Use the steps appropriate to your version of Windows, to clear the AutoComplete/Nickname Cache file. If you are not certain which version of Windows is installed on your computer, click here for instructions

Windows XP users

1. Exit Outlook
   
   
2. Start Microsoft Windows Explorer
   (double-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop)
   
   
3. From the Tools menu, choose Folder Options, and then click the View tab
   
   
4. Under Advanced Settings, select Show hidden files and folders
   
   
5. Click OK
   
   
6. From the toolbar, click Search
   
   
7. Under the heading What do you want to search for?, click All files or folders
   
   
8. In the All or part of file name box, type *.NK2
   
   
9. In the Look in box, select your local hard disk drive (usually C:)
   
   
10. Click Search
    
    
11. Right-click the .NK2 file with the name of the profile that you want to reset, and then click Rename
    
    
12. Rename the file to oldnicknames.bak, and then press the Enter key on the keyboard 
    
    
13. Exit Windows Explorer
    
    
14. Restart Outlook.
    A new AutoComplete/Nickname Cache file is automatically generated.

Windows 2000 users

1. Exit Outlook
   
   
2. Start Windows Explorer
   
   
3. From the Tools menu, choose Folder Options, and then click the View tab
   
   
4. Under Advanced Settings, 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, select your local hard disk drive
   
   
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 profile oldnicknames.bak, and then press the Enter key on the keyboard.
    
    
12. Exit Windows Explorer
    
    
13. Restart Outlook.
    A new AutoComplete/Nickname Cache file is automatically generated.

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