KWSupport

Kevin Weilbacher [SBS MVP] blog on SBS, WHS and other topics of interest!

Change the default address book in Outlook from GAL

Question: Does anyone know how to make the Outlook Address Book > Contact List the default Contact list when creating a new email?  Right now it defaults to the Global Address Book, which just lists those in the 2003 domain.

Answer #1: In Outlook:  Tools/Options/Address Book.  In the Address Book window, Tools/Options.  The setting you want is "show this address list first."  For name resolution, the bottom pane of the window, I'd recommend listing your GAL first, then your contacts.  This will simplify name resolution for users on your own network.

If the contact list you want to use doesn't show up on the list, go to its properties, address book tab, show this folder as an address book.

Answer #2: Here you go (from
http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/preview.aspx?AssetID=HA011127381033&CTT=1&Origin=EC010230001033&QueryID=ojO5_mVAD0)

There are two controls to know about. The first sets which address book is displayed whenever you open the Address Book. For example, you might want Contacts to always be the address book that appears. Do the following:

  1.. On the Standard toolbar, click Address Book  .
  2.. In the Address Book dialog box, on the Tools menu, click Options.
  3.. In the Show this address list first list, click Contacts.
  4.. Click OK.

The second option allows you to quickly change to show another address book without changing the default you just set.

  1.. On the Standard toolbar, click Address Book  .
  2.. In the Address Book dialog box, click the Show names from the list to pick an address book other than Contacts.
  3.. Look up the name you need, and then close the Address Book dialog box.
  4.. If you open the Address Book again, the Address Book displays Contacts as the default setting.

Posted: May 10 2004, 06:23 PM by kwsupport | with 10 comment(s)
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Comments

kwsupport said:

was very helpfull and acurrate
# November 23, 2004 7:26 PM

kwsupport said:

Pretty cool! Thank you!
# December 30, 2004 5:24 AM

kwsupport said:

Is these a way to set this using the registry or a Office group policy?
# January 24, 2005 3:40 PM

kwsupport said:

brilliant. been looking for this. thanks
# August 22, 2005 5:01 AM

Stephen Howe said:

This does not tell you for Outlook 2003.

There is no "Address book" under Tools, Options

# March 1, 2007 9:03 AM

Doug said:

Is there a way to control these settings via Group Policy?

# March 21, 2007 12:18 PM

cathal said:

Anyone get a solution to changing these settings centrally? Doug: I think the reason it is not in Group policy is because the changes would need to be made to the Outlook Profile not the User Profile but there must be a way.

# April 20, 2007 7:56 AM

dudushmaya's answers on Yedda - People. Sharing. Knowledge. said:

dudushmaya answered: re:I don't understand how to down load my contact list on address book.

# May 15, 2007 2:43 PM

Andrew said:

Did anyone find a way of doing this centrally

via a GPO? I am migrating 4500 users who use a local address book and I don't want them to have to do another manual task!

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Andrew

# December 11, 2007 10:32 AM

Chris said:

I also need a GPO way of doing this!! Please help!

# May 21, 2008 5:33 AM
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