Windows Address Book
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Windows Address Book is a component of Microsoft Windows that lets users keep a single list of contacts that can be shared by multiple programs. It is most commonly used by Outlook Express. It was introduced with Internet Explorer 3 in 1996 and improved in subsequent versions. [1] The Windows Address Book API can query LDAP servers or read/write data to a local .wab file. In Windows Vista, Windows Address Book was replaced with Windows Contacts.
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[edit] Overview
The Windows Address Book is an application that has a local database and user interface for finding and editing information about people, making it possible to query network directory servers using Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. Other applications can also use the WAB. Microsoft Office Outlook uses its own PST store for email messages. However, it can import contacts from the .WAB format. Microsoft Exchange uses .PAB file for personal address book.
[edit] Features
- Can store comprehensive contact information in tabs including personal and business information
- Integrates with Outlook Express.
- Programmable API to work with other applications. Applications can also extend functionality such as adding more tabs and fields to store additional custom information, or customizing the toolbar.
- Can store contacts inside contact groups and folders.
- Can selectively send email to contacts only in plain text for additional security.
- Can export and import cards to and from vCard 2.1 and CSV formats. Can also import from LDIF and other formats.
- Search for entries in the contact database, arrange contacts by first name or last name.
- Automatically add contacts from received email.
- Prints contact lists as memo, business card or phone list styles.
[edit] Outlook Integration
One of the undocumented features of the Windows Address Book is integration with Microsoft Office Outlook. [2] A registry value has to be set at the following registry key location:
Note: Users should back up the registry before making changes.
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4
A DWORD value named "UseOutlook" (if not present already) can be created with its value set to 1. After setting this value, Outlook Contacts are shared with the Windows Address Book. This feature works only up to Windows XP. Windows Contacts introduced with Windows Vista does not support sharing contacts with Outlook. Previous versions of Microsoft Outlook included this feature as a configurable option, however, it has been removed from newer versions, however the above method works with any Outlook version.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- More information on WAB
- MSDN API Reference Information about the WAB API.
- Recovery Toolbox Address Book Recovery Tool for a recovering damaged or corrupted WAB files of Windows Address Book. This tool can recover deleted contacts.
- Libwab command-line WAB to LDIF converter under GPL license. Works on broken files and can export deleted records.
- NKT Wab Library to access WAB objects with LGPL license.
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