Missing *.nk2 files

G

Guest

Outlook not saving "autocomplete" information from one day to the next. I
have been advised that the issue may be corrupt *.nk2 files on the system and
that I should recreate the user's profile. However, none of the profiles have
an "nk2" file in their \documents and settings\&username&\application
data\microsoft\outlook folder so I am not confident that recreating the
profile will fix the issue.
 
D

Diane Poremsky [MVP]

delete, rename, or move all of the files in %USERPROFILE%\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook and make a new profile. What files are created?


--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
Coauthor, OneNote 2003 for Windows (Visual QuickStart Guide)
Author, Google and Other Search Engines (Visual QuickStart Guide)



Join OneNote Tips mailing list: http://www.onenote-tips.net/
 
G

Guest

This particular system does not have the nk2 files for any of the user
profiles that exist. I wonder if setting up a new profile will fix the issue?
 
R

Randy

The default setting for OL2002 (XP) and OL2k3 are to have autocomplete
turned on. When searching for the NK2 file, you must change your advanced
search settings to display hidden/system files. Did you do that and still
no NK2 files?

If it autocompletes during the day, an NK2 file must exist. Try the
advanced search settings.

Good luck,

Randy
 
G

Guest

Thank you for your reply. I did check the advanced settings in folder options
to "show hidden files" before I did the search on the .nk2 files, but they
still did not appear. And during the day the autocomplete function still
works. But once you close Outlook and re-open it either the same day or the
next day after a "log off" or after a "restart" the autocomplete cache has
been cleared and the process must start again. I am wondering if I should
uninstall office, remove the user's profile and then re-install office and
start again?
 
R

Randy

Why not try to create a new profile name. It is likely that there is a
disconnect between your profile and your NK2 file. Creating a new profile
will create a new NK2 file. With a new clean file you can fill it up
quickly and easily in the following manner:

You can quickly and easily create a new NK2 (autocomplete file) using the
following work-around:

In MS Outlook, go to tools, options, mail setup, send/receive. Uncheck the
"Send immediately when connected box". Next, press the Send/Receive Button
(in Options) and uncheck "Schedule an automatic send/receive". Next
disconnect your computer from the internet by removing your network and/or
telephone connection. Open a new e-mail, press the bcc or to or cc button,
select the contact folder you would like to bring into your NK2
(autocomplete) file. Select all names by highlighting first and last
contact and then add them by pressing the OK button at the bottom. With
your computer disconnected, press the send button. This will automatically
populate your autocomplete file with all of the selected e-mail addresses.
Next, go to your Outbox and delete the e-mail(s) that you just created. Go
back into your Tools, Options, Mail Setup, Send/Receive and change your
options back to the original settings. Remember to put your mail settings
back and plug in your removed cables.

Corrupted NK2 files. Based on several postings in the MS Outlook
Newsgroups, a common misconception is that the NK2 file becomes corrupted
and will no longer Autocomplete. It has been our experience that the NK2
file is still intact and uncorrupted. However, this condition can be caused
by a disconnect (in your systems registry) between the Profile file and your
NK2 file. Here's a trick to try and get them to reconnect: Start by
renaming your NK2 file to <profilename>.nk2.bak for instance. Delete the
current Outlook Profile and create a new one, preferably with a different
name than the one you deleted. This will create a new, empty NK2 file with
the <NewProfileName>.NK2. Next, go to the directory where your NK2 file(s)
exists and rename your *.bak file to the new NK2 file <NewProfileName>.nk2.
This should help your system registry re-attach to the NK2 file to the
profile. The data from your old NK2 file should now be in your new profile
and should work fine. If you want to, repeat this procedure giving the
original Profile Name and you should be back to where you started. If you
want to try the above procedure giving the New Profile the Old Profile name,
all of your e-mail information should be retained thus you will not have to
re-enter mail setup information.

The maximum number of records that the NK2 file can store is 1000. Once
that limit is reached, it begins to overwrite existing records. Therefore
it is advisable to monitor this file and export information regularly so
that the file doesn't begin to overwrite itself and loose potentially
valuable information.
Other Owtlook uses reported to us from our customers:

We hope that this information file helps.

Randy
 
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
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Reaction score
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Randy, you 'da man. GREAT SOLUTION, DUDE!

I was totally bummin that my NK2 file got zapped, but this totally worked. Thanks again for taking the time to post this solution to a lost outlook nicknames NK2 file.

Peace out from Atlanta.

Joe
 

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