Autocomplete is a great feature in Outlook that helps us send out emails at a much faster pace. Most users such as myself have grown to heavily rely on autocomplete data daily.
If you are planning to transfer Outlook to a new system, you wouldn’t want to forget your Autocomplete list. By referring to the methods below, you will be able to transfer the Autocomplete list easily.
Where Is the Outlook AutoComplete Cache Located?
The location of the Outlook AutoComplete cache file depends on the version of Outlook you are using. In Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010, the AutoComplete list is stored as an .nk2 file in the following path: C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook\. The file is named after your Outlook mail profile for example, if your profile is named “Outlook”, the file will be called Outlook.nk2. You can navigate to this folder quickly by typing %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook into the Windows Run dialog (Win + R) or the Windows Search bar.
Starting with Outlook 2013 and continuing through Outlook 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365, Microsoft changed the way AutoComplete data is stored. Instead of a standalone .nk2 file, the AutoComplete list is now embedded as a hidden data stream inside your Outlook mailbox data file either a .ost (for Exchange and Microsoft 365 accounts) or a .pst (for POP/IMAP accounts). This makes it significantly harder to extract and transfer manually. The stream is stored in the same %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook folder, but it is not visible as a separate named file in Windows Explorer.
To summarize the file locations by version:
- Outlook 2007 / 2010:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\ProfileName.nk2 - Outlook 2013 / 2016 / 2019 / 365: AutoComplete data is stored as a hidden stream in your
.ostor.pstmailbox file in%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\ - Finding your profile name: Open Control Panel → Mail → Show Profiles to see the exact name used for your .nk2 or profile-linked data file
1. Copy and import The .nk2 file To Move Outlook Autocomplete to New Computer
Here, we will manually copy your Autocomplete data and transfer it to your new computer. This method is divided into 2 parts.
Part 1: Copy the Auto-Complete file from the old computer
1. The default folder is a hidden folder and is hard to locate. the best way to access the folder is to use the command %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook in the Windows Search box (or, browse to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook).
2. In the Outlook folder, locate the Auto-Complete List (.nk2) file.
Note: By default, file extensions are hidden in Windows. To view the extensions, in Windows Explorer on the Tools menu (in Windows 7 or Windows Vista, press the ALT key to see the Tools menu), and click Folder Options. On the View tab select or clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box.
3. Using any external storage device, copy the file to the new computer.
Step 2: Copy the Auto-Complete file to the new computer
1. On the new computer, Open the Control Panel and select or click on Mail. (use the search box if you need to.)
2. Select Show Profiles.
Note down the profile’s name. Later, you will need to change the name of the .nk2 file to match this name.
3. Copy the .nk2 file to the new computer in the folder in which Outlook configurations are saved. You can access the folder by typing %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook in the Windows Search box.
After the file is copied to the folder, change the name to match the profile name that you noted in step 3.
Step 3: Import the Auto-Complete List
Type outlook /importnk2 in the Windows Search box and then press Enter.
The Auto-Complete List should now allow Outlook on your new computer to give prompts when you try to enter an email address in the recipient box.
2. Transfer Outlook AutoComplete List To a New Computer Using Rikvr
A professional Outlook migration tool such as Rikvr Transfer For Outlook, can effortlessly transfer the Autocomplete data to your new computer within a few clicks. You can try it out yourself using the instructions provided.
Part 1: Creating the Backup File (Old PC)
1. Close Outlook and related applications.
2. Download, Install, and open Rikvr Transfer For Outlook.
3. Click on Backup.
4. Select the Advanced Backup option.
5. Create a new profile and click on Next.
6. A list of Outlook items will appear, select all and click on Next.
7. Select a destination location and click on Next.
8. Name the backup file, select a save location, and click on Next.
Note: After creating the backup file, copy it onto a USB drive and transfer it onto the new computer.
Part 2: Importing Backup File (New PC)
1. Close Outlook and all related applications.
2. Download, Install, and open Rikvr Transfer For Outlook on your new computer.
3. Click on Transfer.
4. Using the Browse Option, select the Backup File and click on Next.
5. Select all the Outlook data and click Next.
6. Click on Finish to complete the process.
Can You Transfer Outlook Settings to a New Computer at the Same Time?
Yes, when migrating to a new PC, it is highly recommended to transfer your complete Outlook configuration rather than just the AutoComplete list in isolation. Your full Outlook environment includes your email account settings, your PST or OST mailbox data files, your personal signatures, email templates, custom rules and filters, RSS feeds, and your AutoComplete cache. Transferring all of these together ensures a seamless experience on your new computer without having to reconfigure anything from scratch.
To transfer your Outlook account settings manually, you can export your account configuration from the old PC by going to File → Account Settings → Account Settings, then noting the server settings, username, and port numbers to re-enter on the new machine. Your PST data files can be copied directly from the %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook or Documents\Outlook Files folder and re-linked on the new PC via File → Open & Export → Open Outlook Data File. Signatures are stored in %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Signatures and can be copied as a folder directly.
Using a dedicated Outlook migration tool simplifies this significantly. Tools like Rikvr Transfer For Outlook can back up and restore your entire Outlook profile including mailbox data, account settings, signatures, rules, and your AutoComplete list in a single operation. This is particularly useful for IT administrators who need to migrate Outlook for multiple users simultaneously, or for individuals upgrading from an older PC running Windows 10 to a new machine running Windows 11.
To Conclude
I hope that you were able to transfer your Outlook autocomplete data to your new computer with the help of this article. Autocomplete is one of the most utilized features but often goes unnoticed. Since the autocomplete list is stored in a hidden folder, it may be tricky to do so manually so extra caution is always recommended.
To recap the key steps: for Outlook 2007 and 2010, locate the .nk2 file at %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook, copy it to the same path on your new PC, rename it to match your new profile name, and launch Outlook with the /importnk2 switch. For Outlook 2013, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365, the AutoComplete data is stored as a hidden stream inside your mailbox file, use MFCMAPI for a manual export or use Rikvr Transfer For Outlook for an automated, risk-free migration. Always back up your data before making any changes, especially when editing hidden system files or using low-level MAPI tools.
If your AutoComplete suggestions are not appearing after the transfer, first confirm the feature is enabled in Outlook’s settings under File → Options → Mail. Second, check that the profile name on the new computer exactly matches the filename you used for the .nk2 file. Finally, keep in mind that Microsoft 365 accounts sync AutoComplete data to the cloud in some configurations, so signing into Outlook on your new PC with your Microsoft 365 credentials may automatically restore a portion of your AutoComplete suggestions without any manual file transfer at all.
