Windows Address Book - Outlook vs. Outlook Express

[Scott McPhillips [MVP]]

I'm working or a Word Addin and want it to read (enumerate) the user's
address book. I've got some code working to enumerate the WAB and other
code to enumerate the new (Vista-only) Windows contacts. But in both cases
what I get is the address book from Windows Mail or Outlook Express, but
nothing from the Outlook address book.

Does Outlook not publish its address book via these standard mechanisms?
Does Outlook perhaps have to be the "primary" email program before it
publishes its address book? Any other hints why I don't get its address
book?

 

[Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook]]

The WAB is completely obsolete for Outlook, as is the PAB (personal address
book). Outlook doesn't publish an address book, it uses Contacts folders and
the Global Address List from Exchange (if using Exchange).

If you want that information you need to use Outlook automation and look at
the AddressLists collection and iterate each AddressList for its complete
AddressEntries collection.