Windows Address Book

Windows Address Book

Windows Address Book in Windows XP
Developer(s)	Microsoft
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Successor	Windows Contacts

Windows Address Bookwas a component ofMicrosoft Windowsthat lets users keep a single list of contacts that can be shared by multiple programs.It is most commonly used byOutlook Express.It was introduced withInternet Explorer 3in 1996 and improved in subsequent versions.TheWindows Address BookAPI can queryLDAPservers or read/write data to a local.wabfile. InWindows Vista,Windows Address Bookwas replaced withWindows Contacts.

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 usingLightweight Directory Access Protocol.Other applications can also use the WAB.Microsoft Office Outlookuses its ownPSTstore for email messages. However, it can import contacts from the.WABformat.Microsoft Exchange/Windows Messaginguses.PABfile forPersonal Address Book.

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 inplain textfor additional security.
• Can export and import cards to and fromvCard2.1 andCSVformats. Can also import fromLDIFand 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 asmemo,business cardorphone liststyles.

Security risk

In May 2000 theILOVEYOUvirus showed how the Windows Address Book could be part of an exploit to spread malicious software by accessing and sending email to a user's contacts. This approach has since been adopted by many commercialspammers.

Outlook integration

One of the undocumented features of the Windows Address Book is integration withMicrosoft Office Outlook.Aregistryvalue 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

ADWORDvalue 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 and Outlook 2003.Windows Contactsintroduced withWindows Vistadoes not support sharing contacts with Outlook. The above method works with any version of Outlook up to Outlook 2003, despite newer versions not including it as a configurable option in the user interface.

See also

• Windows Contacts
• Microsoft
• Microsoft Office Outlook
• Lightweight Directory Access Protocol

External links

• More information on WAB
• MSDN API ReferenceArchived2006-08-21 at theWayback MachineInformation about the WABAPI.