How to Import an .NK2 (nickname) file into Outlook 2010

So maybe you've recently upgraded to Outlook 2010 and you've migrated your old mailbox folders, contacts etc and set up your email account(s) but you're missing one thing - the handy tool that comes up with previously used email addresses as suggestions when typing in the recipient's box when sending an email.

This AutoComplete "nickname cache" is stored as an ".nk2" file in versions of Outlook up to Outlook 2007. Outlook 2010 doesn't use .nk2 files - so simply copying the .nk2 folder into the relevant Outlook folder on your new PC or clean install won't get the AutoComplete working.

For some people this isn't an issue as they don't send that much email or they use their contacts/address book all the time. But this is an issue in most corporate environments, especially for Sales people or people who send out a lot of email - the thought of having to start remembering full addresses, spelling of contact names, or going through their Outlook contacts to find someone for emails again is enough to make you cry. Ok, maybe not, but it's frustrating to say the least.

However! You can import your old AutoComplete into Outlook 2010 and keep all your stored nickname cache addresses and remain sane.

Note: Outlook 2007 and earlier store the .nk2 file in the following folders by default;

Windows XP:

C:Documents and SettingsUsernameApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook

Windows Vista / Windows 7:

C:UsersUsernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftOutlook

If setting up a new computer (or clean install of Outlook 2010 and not an upgrade);

1) Install Outlook 2010 (or Office 2010 with Outlook)

2) Create an Outlook profile by running Outlook 2010 for the first time and setting up your mailbox account(s).

3) It will probably be worth enabling "view hidden files and folders" on your machine so you can identify the .nk2 file correctly.

See if you don't know how to do this.

4) Find the .nk2 file on your old PC from the relative data path. Make a note of the name of the .nk2 file - this is usually Outlook.nk2. If you created and used an Outlook profile with a different nam though, you'll want the to find the .nk2 with the same name.

5) Copy the .nk2 file from your old PC and paste it into the relative data path on your new PC.

6) Make sure Outlook 2010 is completely closed.

 

Go to the Start Menu.

In Windows Vista/7, type: outlook.exe /importnk2

In Windows XP you'll need to choose Run after clicking Start

 

Outlook 2010 should now open with your AutoComplete nickname cache imported. Test it out to check by starting to type an email address you commonly used on your old PC. If it doesn't make suggestions, then double-check all the above steps and repeat any if neccessary!

 

Upgrading to Outlook 2010 (or Office 2010 with Outlook);

 

From experience, when upgrading Outlook it automatically does the importing of the AutoComplete into Outlook 2010 for you. However, if you find it isn't then try the following;

 

1) Double check the name of the .nk2 file is the same as the Outlook profile.

 

2) Repeat Step 7 above

 

Hope this helps.

Can't add HTTP Network Place in Windows 7

Not being able to add an HTTP Network Place was previously a problem in Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista. You'd assume that in Windows 7 they would have sorted this, but no.
There' still no Microsoft hotfix either, shockingly!

Anyway, there's loads of supposed "fixes" out there, some people have reportedly tried all of them with no success, and some people have given up and used third-party software instead.

I tried all the fixes, and found only one that sorted my problem, and I've detailed how to do this with the instructions below.

The problem apparently lies in the authentication of the Web Client service within Windows 7, and with a simple registry change, I enabled the Web Client to authenticate and therefore allow me to add an HTTP Network Place within Windows 7.

Open up Registry Editor, in Windows 7 this can be done by clicking the Start menu and typing 'regedit'.

Now we need to navigate to the relevant part of the registry, go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetservicesWebClientParameters

You should now have a screen that looks like the below;

(click image to enlarge)

Right-Click on BasicAuthLevel and select Modify

In the screen that opens, change the "1" to a "2" and click OK.

Close the Registry Editor.

Now we need to restart the WebClient service. Alternatively, you can reboot your machine, but if you've got a lot going on then rebooting the WebClient service manually is easy.

Go to the Start menu, then Control Panel. In Control Panel go to System & Security and then Administrative Tools. Open Services.

Scroll down the list to the WebClient service, right-click and hit restart.

(click image to enlarge)

Once the service has successfully stopped and restarted, you're done!
Now try adding your HTTP Network Place again and it should work.