AutoComplete not working correctly in Outlook 2010

Original KB number:   2682333

AutoComplete (not to be confused with Suggested Contacts) displays names and email addresses as you start to type them. These are possible matches to names and email addresses gathered from the email that you have sent in the past. If AutoComplete isn't working, try these fixes:

Here's how to see if AutoComplete is turned on:

1. In Outlook, select File > Options.

2. Select the Mail tab.

3. Scroll roughly halfway down until you see Send messages. Ensure the Use AutoComplete List to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines box is checked.

   

4. If it's already turned on, your first troubleshooting step should be to clear out the Auto-Complete list. Select the Empty AutoComplete List button.

5. You'll see a confirmation window about clearing the AutoComplete list, select Yes.

6. Try sending a few test emails to the same email address. If AutoComplete doesn't start working, try the other steps listed in this article.

If AutoComplete is enabled and still not working correctly, there may be a problem with a file in your RoamCache folder. Rename the folder to reset AutoComplete. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Start Outlook.

2. Select File > Info > Account Settings.

3. An Account Settings window will open, if it says Microsoft Exchange (under Type), use the Microsoft Exchange Server accounts portion of this article.

4. Exit Outlook.

5. Next we need to find the Outlook folder.

6. Select Start, type in or copy and paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook into Search program and files.

   

7. Select the Outlook folder listed at the top of the window.

   

8. Right-click the RoamCache folder, select Rename, and change the folder name to old_RoamCache.

   

9. When Outlook restarts, it will create a new RoamCache folder.

10. Start Outlook.

iTunes also installs an add-in called Outlook Change Notifier. If you have iTunes Version 10.0.0.22, it had several issues that caused Outlook to not shut down gracefully, causing AutoComplete to not work correctly. Updating your iTunes software to version 10.1.0.56 or newer will take care of the Outlook Change Notifier issue.

If you no longer use iTunes or want to manually disable the add-in:

1. From within Outlook, select File > Options and select Add-Ins.
2. At the bottom of the dialog press the button Go....
3. Scroll down the list until you find Outlook Change Notifier and uncheck it.
4. Press OK to confirm and close the dialog.

If Auto-Complete is enabled and still not working correctly, there may be a problem with a file in your RoamCache folder. Rename the folder to reset AutoComplete. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Outlook

2. Select File > Info > Account Settings.

3. An Account Settings window will open, if does not say Microsoft Exchange (under Type), use the home email account portion of this article.

4. Prepare Outlook to run without Cached Exchange Mode.

   1. Select the File tab, and then select Account Settings.
   2. Select Account Settings.
   3. Select your Microsoft Exchange Server account, and then select Change.
   4. Clear the Use Cached Exchange Mode check box, select Next, and then select Finish.
   5. On the Account Settings dialog box, select Close.

5. Exit Outlook.

6. Next we need to find the Outlook folder.

7. Select Start, type in or Copy and Paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook into Search program and files.

   

8. Select on the Outlook folder listed at the top of the window.

   

9. Right-click the RoamCache folder, select Rename, and change the folder name to old_RoamCache.

   

10. When Outlook restarts, it will create a new RoamCache folder.

11. Start Outlook.

12. Turn on Cached Exchange Mode.

    1. Select the File tab, and select Account Settings.
    2. Select Account Settings.
    3. Highlight your Microsoft Exchange Server account, and then select Change.
    4. Select the Use Cached Exchange Mode check box, select Next, and then select Finish.
    5. On the Account Settings dialog box, select Close.

13. Exit and then restart Outlook.

What is the difference between AutoComplete and Suggested Contacts

Outlook also adds a folder to Contacts labeled Suggested Contacts. Addresses get added to this folder as you send or reply to messages addressed to people who don't exist in your Contacts folder. Outlook doesn't look in Suggested Contacts for names during the AutoComplete process. It only stores addresses that you might want to add to your Contacts. You can double-click an entry in Suggested Contacts and a Contact Form opens that allows you to save it to your Contacts Folder.

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