Outlook 2016 Mac File Location

Posted By admin  On 16.04.21



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  1. Save the File to a New Location. Use Outlook’s File Save As option to save a copy of the temp outlook file to a location you can easily access and remember! Open a File’s Properties in Outlook. Shift to the Mail view by clicking the Mail in the Navigation Pane; Open the email message attachment that you want to see; View the size, file.
  2. For more information about rules, see Create a rule in Outlook 2016 for Mac. If you have only Exchange account in Outlook, the On My Computer folders are hidden by default. This helps simplify the folder structure in the navigation pane.

Original KB number: 2199226

The above no longer works. Outlook relies upon MAC OS to store temp files and MAC does this in a weird and almost random way. They are s tired in the following location (you have to hunt in each subfolder for your file as they will not show in Finder). Type in /Private/Var/folders.

Summary

This article contains an overview of the Microsoft Outlook AutoComplete list (also known as the Outlook Auto-Complete list). In addition to describing the feature, this article contains more information and step-by-step instructions for advanced users to manage the list.

More information

Outlook maintains the AutoComplete list. The list is used by both the automatic name-checking feature and the automatic completion feature. The AutoComplete list, also known as the nickname cache, is generated automatically when you send email messages from Outlook. The list contains SMTP addresses, LegacyExchangeDN entries, and display names for people to whom you have sent mail previously.

Note

The AutoComplete list for Outlook is specific to Outlook and is not shared by Outlook Web App (OWA). OWA maintains its own AutoComplete list.

The following sections provide information about the AutoComplete feature.

Limit to the number of entries

Outlook limits the number of entries that you can save in the AutoComplete list. After you reach this limit, Outlook uses an internal algorithm to determine the best names to remove from the list. It does this based on a usage weighting. So, you may find some names unexpectedly removed from your nickname cache. There are two general approaches that you can use to avoid this situation:

  1. You can proactively remove AutoComplete list entries that you no longer need. This is the preferred approach. For more information about how to do this, see the How to remove AutoComplete list entries one at a time section.
  2. You can increase the limit for the nickname cache. Because this configuration is untested, we don't recommend it. If you have a larger nickname cache, you could also lose a larger number of cached entries if your nickname cache becomes unusable because of corruption. For more information about how to increase the limit, see the How to change the limit for the AutoComplete list section.

The limits are as follows:

  • Outlook 2016: 1,000 entries
  • Outlook 2013: 1,000 entries
  • Outlook 2010: 1,000 entries
  • Outlook 2007: 2,000 entries
  • Outlook 2003: 1,000 entries

How to enable the AutoComplete feature

This section details how to enable or disable the AutoComplete feature.

Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2016

To access the AutoComplete setting, follow these steps:

  1. On the File menu, select Options.

  2. Select the Mail tab.

  3. Scroll approximately halfway down until you see Send messages. Make sure that the Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines box is checked.

Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007

To access the AutoComplete settings, follow the steps:

  1. Select Tools, and then select Options.

  2. Select the E-mail options button.

  3. Select the Advanced E-mail Options button.

  4. Make sure that the Suggest names while completing To, Cc, and Bcc fields box is checked. (The screenshot for this step follows.)

How to import .nk2 files into Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2016

Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 and earlier versions store the AutoComplete list in a nickname (.nk2) file on the disk. Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2016 store the AutoComplete list as a hidden message in your primary message store. Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2016 let you import the older .nk2 files.

For more information about how to import .nk2 files in Outlook 2010, see Import Auto-Complete List from another computer.

How to copy the AutoComplete list

File

The steps to export and import the AutoComplete list are different, depending on the version of Outlook that you're using.

Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2010

To copy the AutoComplete list in Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2010, follow these steps:

Step 1

To export the AutoComplete mailbox message, follow these steps:

  1. Exit Outlook, and then close Outlook Web Access or Outlook Web App (OWA) on all workstations that are connected to your mailbox.
  2. Download and install MFCMAPI.
  3. Run mfcmapi.exe.
  4. On the Session menu, select Logon.
  5. If you're prompted for a profile, select the desired profile name, and then select OK.
  6. In the top pane, locate the line that corresponds to your mailbox, and then double-click it.
  7. In the left-side navigation pane, expand Root Container, and then expand Top of Information Store or IPM_SUBTREE.
  8. Right-click the Inbox folder, and then select Open Associated Content Table. This action opens a new MFCMAPI window that contains various properties.
  9. Under the Subject column, right-click the item that has the subject IPM.Configuration.Autocomplete, and then select Export Message. This action opens the Save Message To File window.
  10. In the drop-down list, select MSG file (UNICODE), and then select OK.
  11. Select a folder location to which you want to save the message, and then select Save. Note this location.

Step 2

To import the AutoComplete mailbox message, follow these steps.

  1. Exit Outlook, and then close Outlook Web Access or Outlook Web App (OWA) on all workstations that are connected to your mailbox.

  2. Download and install MFCMAPI.

  3. Run mfcmapi.exe.

  4. On the Session menu, select Logon.

  5. If you're prompted for a profile, select the desired profile name, and then select OK.

  6. In the top pane, locate the line that corresponds to your mailbox, and then double-click it.

  7. In the left-side navigation pane, expand Root - Mailbox, and then expand Top of Information Store or IPM_SUBTREE.

  8. Right-click the Inbox folder, and then select Open Associated Content Table. This action opens a new MFCMAPI window that contains various properties.

  9. To avoid duplicate entries, you must delete the existing AutoComplete message.

    Note

    Before you delete the IPM.Configuration.Autocomplete message, you must export the message by using the steps in the How to copy the AutoComplete list section.

    To delete the existing AutoComplete message, follow these steps:

    1. In the Subject column, locate the item that has the subject IPM.Configuration.Autocomplete.
    2. Right-click the item, and then select Delete message. This opens the Delete Item window.
    3. In the drop-down list, select Permanent deletion (deletes to deleted item retention if supported), and then select OK.

  10. On the Folder menu, select Import, and then select From MSG.

  11. Locate the .msg file that you created in step 11 of the How to copy the AutoComplete list section, and then select OK.

  12. In the Load MSG window that appears, select Load message into current folder in the Load style list, and then select OK.

The AutoComplete information is imported from the IPM.Configuration.Autocomplete_<hexadecimal code>.msg, where the placeholder <hexadecimal code> represents a long string of numbers and letters.

Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2003

The steps to copy the AutoComplete list in Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007 are different. This is because Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007 store the AutoComplete list in the .nk2 file.

To copy the AutoComplete list in Outlook 2007, see Import or copy the Auto-Complete List to another computer.

How to remove AutoComplete list entries one at a time

To remove entries from the AutoComplete cache one entry at a time, follow these steps:

  1. Open a new email message.
  2. Type the first few characters of the AutoComplete entry that you want to remove.
  3. When the entry appears in the list of suggestions, move your mouse pointer over the suggestion until it becomes highlighted, but don't select it.
  4. When the X icon appears next to the highlighted suggestion, select X to remove the entry from the list, or press the Delete key on the keyboard.

Selecting X will prevent that entry (name) from appearing in the AutoComplete list again but won't remove it from your account. This entry may still appear in other areas in Outlook (such as search boxes).

Note

Outlook 2016 Mac File Location

If you send a person a new email after you've removed their name from the AutoComplete list, their information will be added back to the list.

How to clear the whole AutoComplete list

This section explains how to delete the AutoComplete list.

Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2010

Use one of the following two methods to delete the AutoComplete list in Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2016.

Method 1

  1. Open Outlook.

  2. On the File tab, select Options.

  3. Select the Mail tab.

  4. Under Send Messages, select Empty Auto-Complete List.

  5. Select Yes.

Method 2

Start Outlook by using the /CleanAutoCompleteCache switch. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Select Start, and then select Run.
  2. Type Outlook.exe /CleanAutoCompleteCache.

Note

Outlook

If Outlook is not installed in the default location, you must point to the path of Outlook.exe.

Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2003

To delete the AutoComplete list in Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007, you must manually delete the .nk2 file. To delete the .nk2 file, follow these steps:

  1. Exit Outlook.

  2. Select Start, and then select Computer.

  3. Select Organize, and then select Folder and search options.

  4. On the View tab, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

  5. Select OK.

  6. Select Start, select All Programs, select Accessories, and then select Run.

  7. In the Run dialog box, type the following command (including the quotation marks), and then select OK:

    C: UsersUserNameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftOutlook

    Note

    Username in this path is the name of the currently logged on Windows user.

  8. Right-click the .NK2 file that has name of the profile that you want to reset, and then select Rename.

  9. Rename the file as profilename.bak, and then press Enter.

  10. Start Outlook.

Issues with the AutoComplete cache

This section describes known issues that can occur with the AutoComplete cache. The AutoComplete cache can become corrupted over time and may not save new entries. If this happens, you can try to remove individual entries from the list. To do this, see the How to remove AutoComplete list entries one at a time section. If that doesn't resolve the issue, the whole AutoComplete list can be reset. To do this, see the section titled 'How to clear the whole AutoComplete list.'

How to change the limit for the AutoComplete list

Because this configuration is untested, we don't recommend it. If you have a larger AutoComplete list, you could also lose a larger number of cached entries if your AutoComplete cache becomes unusable because of corruption. Given this disclaimer, you can use the following registry data to increase the AutoComplete list limit in Outlook.

Important

Outlook 2016 Mac File Location

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry,see How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

  1. Exit Outlook.

  2. Start Registry Editor.

    • In Windows 8.x, press the Windows key, type regedit and then press Enter.
    • In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, select Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press Enter.

  3. Locate and then select the following registry subkey:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice<x.0>OutlookAutoNameCheck

    Note

    The placeholder <x.0> in this registry subkey represents your version of Microsoft Office. Use the appropriate value from the following list.

    Outlook 2016 = 16.0
    Outlook 2013 = 15.0
    Outlook 2010 = 14.0
    Outlook 2007 = 12.0
    Outlook 2003 = 11.0

  4. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then select DWORD value.

  5. Type MaxNickNames, and then press Enter.

  6. On the Edit menu, select Modify.

  7. Type the new value for the limit, and then select OK.

    Note

    • Make sure that you type the number in decimal form. That is the correct form in which to type the number.
    • Try increasing the limit by only a marginal amount to test the new limit. For example, to create a 20 percent increase in the limit in Outlook 2013, you would specify 1200 for the MaxNickNames value.

  8. Exit Registry Editor.

  9. Start Outlook.

Note

The MaxNickNames registry value merely specifies the nondefault limit. Therefore, you can also use this value to lower the limit of the nickname cache.

I recently had to help a client move from one Mac to another, during the process one task proved more challenging than originally anticipated. I wanted to share my info in the event that it helps someone out there. In Outlook 2016 for Mac, Microsoft in its infinite wisdom, has changed the default location of the email profile folder. The new location is not well documented, and I stumbled upon it on an obscure forum post, the location is

this folder needs to be copied from Mac to Mac when migrating data. Migration assistant choked on this folder twice, leaving me unable to move it via a thunderbolt to thunderbolt connection. I then mounted the drive of the old Mac onto the new Mac via the cable and copied it over manually. This method worked and worked well. For the sake of completeness, I will do a quick writeup of the other methods of migration that were recommended by Microsoft directly in the event that this method fails for whatever reason for my readers.

Method: Archive and Import

The first step in this method is to export the data from Outlook 2016 on the Mac in question.

An archive file in Outlook 2016 for Mac is a .olm file that you can save to any location on your Mac or on a different machine for safekeeping. You can export your email, contacts, calendars, tasks, or notes to the .olm archive file. Here’s how:

  1. On the Tools tab, choose Export.
  2. On the Tools tab, click Export.
  3. In the Export to Archive File (.olm) box, check the items you want to export, and choose Continue.
  4. Check the items you want to export.
  5. In the Save As box, under Favorites, choose the Downloads folder, and click Save.
  6. Save the archive file as an .olm.

Once your data has been exported, you’ll get a notification and you’ll choose Finish.

Now that your files are exported, time to import them. To import an OLM file on a Mac follow these steps

A .olm file is the data file used by Outlook for Mac to archive your email messages, contacts, calendar items, tasks, and notes. If you’re moving from one Mac to another or upgrading from Outlook for Mac 2011 to Outlook 2016 for Mac, you’ll want to export your email messages, contacts, calendar items, tasks, and notes to a .olm file first (How do I export to a .olm file?). Note the location where you save the .olm file because you’ll need it during the import process.

Export your Outlook for Mac email messages, contacts, calendar items, tasks, and notes to a .olm file and note the location where you save that file. If moving from one Mac to another, transfer the .olm file to the new one.

  1. In Outlook for Mac 2016, on the Tools tab, choose Import.
  2. On the Tools tab, click Import.
  3. In the Import box, select Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) > Continue.
  4. Import archive file as .olm.
  5. Locate the .olm file on your Mac, and then click Import.
  6. Imported items appear on the navigation panes (Mail, Calendar, People, Tasks, Notes) under On My Computer. For example, contacts are in the navigation pane on the People tab, email messages are on the navigation pane on the Mail tab, calendar items are in the navigation pane on the Calendar tab, and so on.

Method: Migration Assistant

Outlook 2016 Mac File Location Folder

I will preface this bit by saying that this failed for me twice. After some further digging the reason that the migration failed was the fact that I had a very agressive antivirus program running on the target computer Mac that was blocking the copy due to viruses found in the mail profile folder. In order for this to work you should disable all security and antivirus software that may detect viruses during file copy. The process here is simple and for the sake of this article I will not rewrite the great instructions you can find here at Apples own website.

Follow the steps on this page and you should be ok. If you run into issues post a comment and we will be happy to assit.

Method: File Copy

In Outlook 2011, your Identity was located in Documents > Microsoft User Data folder. Identities are now called Profiles in Office for Mac 2016 (now available in preview). Your profile is no longer stored in Documents but in your User’s Library folder.

The User’s Library folder is hidden by default. To unhide: Select the Finder in the Dock. Under Go in the Menu bar > hold down the Option key and you’ll see the Library.

In your User’s Library folder, scroll down to Group Containers. You’ll find your profile nested in this location:

If you can’t find this folder, most likely you are looking in the main Library folder. As recommended above visit Finding the User Library Folder to show your User’s Library.

Microsoft Outlook 2016 Data File Location Mac

Once you find the folder you can copy it in any number of ways, directly to the computer via Firewire or Thunderbolt cable. USB drive, or even AirDrop. Once the folder on the target Mac is replaced the email should immediately load.