Windows Mail contacts...unable to edit!

I also can not add, change, import or export. When I open my contacts
window, the window does not have the tool bar for "add contact" "new contact
group" etc. When I go to help on contacts the window that is given on the
help window has that tool bar with those buttons. The only way that I can
add the contacts is to create a new message and put the address in as a
recipient.... very time consuming.

Help!!!

Kay

"Jon" wrote:

> Brian,
>
> Have you resolved this issue. I'm trying to modify "windows contacts" on a
> new laptop with Vista Home Premium and it does the same thing. I can't add,
> change, import, or export.
>
> Thanks!
>
> "Brian" wrote:
>
> > I cannot edit my Windows Mail contacts in Vista.
> >
> > When I double click a contact, a window briefly flashes and goes
> > away...can't even read what it says. When I click on File/Import/Windows
> > Contacts... I get an "OK" box with a red "X" in it...no message text
> > indicating what the problem is.
> >
> > Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
> >
> > Brian
> >

When you open Contacts, there should be buttons for New Contact, New Contact
Group, Import and Export.

If you don't have these, Vista has probably changed the folder template.

Right-click on a blank area of the right pane, and select "Customize this
folder"
in the pull-down box, select "Contacts"
ok

--
http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

"Kay" <Kay.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:011B6E00-A6DF-4298-AA46-EB8B6CF02757@microsoft.com...
> I also can not add, change, import or export. When I open my contacts
> window, the window does not have the tool bar for "add contact" "new
> contact
> group" etc. When I go to help on contacts the window that is given on the
> help window has that tool bar with those buttons. The only way that I can
> add the contacts is to create a new message and put the address in as a
> recipient.... very time consuming.
>
> Help!!!
>
> Kay
>
> "Jon" wrote:
>
>> Brian,
>>
>> Have you resolved this issue. I'm trying to modify "windows contacts" on
>> a
>> new laptop with Vista Home Premium and it does the same thing. I can't
>> add,
>> change, import, or export.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> "Brian" wrote:
>>
>> > I cannot edit my Windows Mail contacts in Vista.
>> >
>> > When I double click a contact, a window briefly flashes and goes
>> > away...can't even read what it says. When I click on
>> > File/Import/Windows
>> > Contacts... I get an "OK" box with a red "X" in it...no message text
>> > indicating what the problem is.
>> >
>> > Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
>> >
>> > Brian
>> >

I have Vista Home Premium on a laptop and a PC. I'm able to add, delete and
edit on the PC but I cannot edit on my laptop. Any help would be
appreciated. Thanks.

"Kay" wrote:

> I also can not add, change, import or export. When I open my contacts
> window, the window does not have the tool bar for "add contact" "new contact
> group" etc. When I go to help on contacts the window that is given on the
> help window has that tool bar with those buttons. The only way that I can
> add the contacts is to create a new message and put the address in as a
> recipient.... very time consuming.
>
> Help!!!
>
> Kay
>
> "Jon" wrote:
>
> > Brian,
> >
> > Have you resolved this issue. I'm trying to modify "windows contacts" on a
> > new laptop with Vista Home Premium and it does the same thing. I can't add,
> > change, import, or export.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > "Brian" wrote:
> >
> > > I cannot edit my Windows Mail contacts in Vista.
> > >
> > > When I double click a contact, a window briefly flashes and goes
> > > away...can't even read what it says. When I click on File/Import/Windows
> > > Contacts... I get an "OK" box with a red "X" in it...no message text
> > > indicating what the problem is.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
> > >
> > > Brian
> > >

It would have been helpful if you explained *how* it is preventing you
from editing contacts. What happens when you try?

If the Contacts toolbar is missing the proper commands, do this:
Open Windows Contacts. Right-click somewhere in that
empty white space to the far right. Select Customize This Folder,
click the little triangle, and from the dropdown list select Contacts,
then click OK.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)


"Gary" <Gary.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:73AD23B8-429F-4951-A139-DDE16F640A2D@microsoft.com...
>I have Vista Home Premium on a laptop and a PC. I'm able to add, delete and
> edit on the PC but I cannot edit on my laptop. Any help would be
> appreciated. Thanks.

Sorry, when I open a contact and select the Name & Email tab, I am able to
click on the email address but the words "Add, Edit, Set Preferred, Remove
and Ok are all greyed out. So I can change the email address but it does not
remain. I cannot click on OK because it is greyed out...nothing changes.

I have preformed the steps/commands you suggested, i. e., Select Customize
This Folder, and select Contacts and clicked OK.


"Gary VanderMolen" wrote:

> It would have been helpful if you explained *how* it is preventing you
> from editing contacts. What happens when you try?
>
> If the Contacts toolbar is missing the proper commands, do this:
> Open Windows Contacts. Right-click somewhere in that
> empty white space to the far right. Select Customize This Folder,
> click the little triangle, and from the dropdown list select Contacts,
> then click OK.
>
> --
> Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)
>
>
> "Gary" <Gary DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:73AD23B8-429F-4951-A139-DDE16F640A2D@microsoft.com...
> >I have Vista Home Premium on a laptop and a PC. I'm able to add, delete and
> > edit on the PC but I cannot edit on my laptop. Any help would be
> > appreciated. Thanks.
>

I wasn't able to reproduce that problem. It sounds like your Contacts
file may have become corrupted. I suggest upgrading to Windows
Live Mail: http://download.live.com/wlmail

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)


"Gary" <Gary DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:EC6E0165-2E28-4D77-90D3-67CCCAC51A00@microsoft.com...
> Sorry, when I open a contact and select the Name & Email tab, I am able to
> click on the email address but the words "Add, Edit, Set Preferred, Remove
> and Ok are all greyed out. So I can change the email address but it does not
> remain. I cannot click on OK because it is greyed out...nothing changes.
>
> I have preformed the steps/commands you suggested, i. e., Select Customize
> This Folder, and select Contacts and clicked OK.
>
>
> "Gary VanderMolen" wrote:
>
>> It would have been helpful if you explained *how* it is preventing you
>> from editing contacts. What happens when you try?
>>
>> If the Contacts toolbar is missing the proper commands, do this:
>> Open Windows Contacts. Right-click somewhere in that
>> empty white space to the far right. Select Customize This Folder,
>> click the little triangle, and from the dropdown list select Contacts,
>> then click OK.
>>
>> --
>> Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)
>>
>>
>> "Gary" <Gary DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:73AD23B8-429F-4951-A139-DDE16F640A2D@microsoft.com...
>> >I have Vista Home Premium on a laptop and a PC. I'm able to add, delete and
>> > edit on the PC but I cannot edit on my laptop. Any help would be
>> > appreciated. Thanks.
>>

Okay, thanks. Just seems strange that it works on my PC and not my laptop.
I don't know what Windows Live Mail is...the only thing I use "Windows
Contacts" for is to have a current list that I can put on my iPod when I
travel.

"Gary VanderMolen" wrote:

> I wasn't able to reproduce that problem. It sounds like your Contacts
> file may have become corrupted. I suggest upgrading to Windows
> Live Mail: http://download.live.com/wlmail
>
> --
> Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)
>
>
> "Gary" <Gary.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:EC6E0165-2E28-4D77-90D3-67CCCAC51A00@microsoft.com...
> > Sorry, when I open a contact and select the Name & Email tab, I am able to
> > click on the email address but the words "Add, Edit, Set Preferred, Remove
> > and Ok are all greyed out. So I can change the email address but it does not
> > remain. I cannot click on OK because it is greyed out...nothing changes.
> >
> > I have preformed the steps/commands you suggested, i. e., Select Customize
> > This Folder, and select Contacts and clicked OK.
> >
> >
> > "Gary VanderMolen" wrote:
> >
> >> It would have been helpful if you explained *how* it is preventing you
> >> from editing contacts. What happens when you try?
> >>
> >> If the Contacts toolbar is missing the proper commands, do this:
> >> Open Windows Contacts. Right-click somewhere in that
> >> empty white space to the far right. Select Customize This Folder,
> >> click the little triangle, and from the dropdown list select Contacts,
> >> then click OK.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)
> >>
> >>
> >> "Gary" <Gary.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:73AD23B8-429F-4951-A139-DDE16F640A2D@microsoft.com...
> >> >I have Vista Home Premium on a laptop and a PC. I'm able to add, delete and
> >> > edit on the PC but I cannot edit on my laptop. Any help would be
> >> > appreciated. Thanks.
> >>
>

It is not particularly strange that the Contacts on your desktop PC
are fine, but the Contacts on your laptop are corrupted.
Stuff happens.
If both computers use the same contacts, you could delete or rename the
folder C:\Users\username\Contacts on your laptop, then copy that
same folder from your desktop PC.

Windows Live Mail is a newer email program which Microsoft has designated
as a replacement for Windows Mail. If you install it, it will automatically
import all your settings, accounts, and emails from Windows Mail.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)


"Gary" <Gary RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:90DF0FE2-0123-4412-89FC-8BE24BCB972E@microsoft.com...
> Okay, thanks. Just seems strange that it works on my PC and not my laptop.
> I don't know what Windows Live Mail is...the only thing I use "Windows
> Contacts" for is to have a current list that I can put on my iPod when I
> travel.
>
> "Gary VanderMolen" wrote:
>
>> I wasn't able to reproduce that problem. It sounds like your Contacts
>> file may have become corrupted. I suggest upgrading to Windows
>> Live Mail: http://download.live.com/wlmail
>>
>> --
>> Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)
>>
>>
>> "Gary" <Gary RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:EC6E0165-2E28-4D77-90D3-67CCCAC51A00@microsoft.com...
>> > Sorry, when I open a contact and select the Name & Email tab, I am able to
>> > click on the email address but the words "Add, Edit, Set Preferred, Remove
>> > and Ok are all greyed out. So I can change the email address but it does not
>> > remain. I cannot click on OK because it is greyed out...nothing changes.
>> >
>> > I have preformed the steps/commands you suggested, i. e., Select Customize
>> > This Folder, and select Contacts and clicked OK.
>> >
>> >
>> > "Gary VanderMolen" wrote:
>> >
>> >> It would have been helpful if you explained *how* it is preventing you
>> >> from editing contacts. What happens when you try?
>> >>
>> >> If the Contacts toolbar is missing the proper commands, do this:
>> >> Open Windows Contacts. Right-click somewhere in that
>> >> empty white space to the far right. Select Customize This Folder,
>> >> click the little triangle, and from the dropdown list select Contacts,
>> >> then click OK.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Gary" <Gary RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:73AD23B8-429F-4951-A139-DDE16F640A2D@microsoft.com...
>> >> >I have Vista Home Premium on a laptop and a PC. I'm able to add, delete and
>> >> > edit on the PC but I cannot edit on my laptop. Any help would be
>> >> > appreciated. Thanks.
>> >>
>>

I had the same problem as originally noted, couldn't open contacts to
edit. I found the problem to be that somehow there was no longer any
application designated to open contact files.

To check your system, open your Contacts folder. Right click on any of
the contacts. Move your mouse pointer over top of "Open With". The
designated file should be "Windows Mail".

If your's says something different than Windows Mail you need to click
on "Choose Default Program". Click on "Browse"

The default location for the file is C:/Program Files (x86)/Windows
Mail/

Select "wab".

Click ok. Double click on any contact and you should get the edit box.


--
Doon