How to Find the Outlook Address Book Location in Classic Outlook?

Ritu Roy | How to's Outlook Software Technology | 4 minutes read | Modified on: 19-01-2026
Outlook Address Book Location in Classic Outlook

Are you having trouble locating your favorite contacts in the Outlook address book and wondering where the Outlook contact list is stored? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll explain how to find the Outlook Address Book location in classic Outlook without any complications.

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most widely used email clients worldwide. It offers a range of features that enhance the user experience, which is why many users are switching to Outlook from other free or third-party email platforms.

However, during this transition, users often struggle to locate the address book in Outlook. This can be confusing, especially when there is a need to back up contacts or move them to another system.

To help resolve this issue, we’ll share two key locations where Outlook stores contact data, along with a helpful bonus tip. Make sure to read this guide till the end to get a complete and clear solution to your query.

Before we move forward, let’s first understand what people mean when they search for the “Outlook contact list location.”

What Does Outlook Address Book Location Mean?

The Outlook Address Book location refers to the place where Microsoft Outlook stores a user’s contact information. This data allows users to quickly select contacts while composing emails and manage their address book efficiently. Depending on the situation, the term “Outlook Address Book location” can have different meanings, for example, finding contacts within the Outlook interface or locating the files stored on your computer.

Where the Outlook Address Book Is Stored Inside Outlook

If you want to locate your contacts within the Outlook application itself, follow these steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Outlook on your Windows computer.
  2. Look for the navigation panel on the left side.
  3. Click on People or Contacts to access your address book.

That’s it, you’ve successfully located your Outlook contact list within the application.

Outlook Contact List Location on Local Storage

To find where Outlook stores contact data on your computer, the file location depends on the type of account you’re using. Outlook typically saves data in one of the following locations:

For Exchange or Microsoft 365 Accounts (OST File)

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\

For POP or Local Accounts

C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Outlook Files\

Note: These Outlook data files cannot be opened directly to view contacts. You’ll need Outlook or a compatible tool to access the information.

By following these steps, you can easily locate your Outlook Address Book, whether inside the application or on your local system.

Bonus Tip: Access Your Outlook Contact List Without Outlook

If you want to access your Outlook contact list without opening Outlook, you can use a tool like CubexSoft OST Converter. This software allows you to convert your Outlook OST files into vCard format, preserving all your contact details and maintaining complete data integrity.

Once converted, your contacts become easily accessible on other devices, including mobile phones, making it simple to view, share, or import them into other email clients. This is a convenient solution for users who need quick access to their contacts without relying on the Outlook application.

Steps to Access Your Outlook Address Book Location

Follow these steps to access and save your Outlook address book data:

  1. Open Microsoft Outlook (or the relevant utility) on your Windows PC.
  2. Select the option “Let me choose my Outlook mailbox data” and click Next.
  3. Choose the contents or the specific folder you want to access and click Next.
  4. Pick the suggested saving format for the output file, as shown in the program interface.
  5. Set a destination folder where the converted file will be saved.
  6. Click Next to start the conversion process.

Once the process is complete, you’ll have a copy of your Outlook address book saved at the chosen location, ready for use or backup.

By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly and easily locate your Outlook contact list.

Advantages of Using the Bonus Tip

Using the CubexSoft OST File Converter tool to access your Outlook contacts comes with several benefits:

  • Batch Conversion: You can select multiple OST files and convert them to VCF (vCard) format in a single operation.
  • Wide Compatibility: Supports all major versions of Microsoft Outlook, including 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2021.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed for both technical and non-technical users, making it easy to operate.
  • Password-Protected Files Supported: Whether your OST file is password-protected or unsecured, the tool converts it to VCF format while preserving data integrity.
  • Preserves Important Details: During conversion, it keeps all essential contact information intact, including profile pictures, first and last names, email addresses, company names, and more.

Final Thoughts

In this blog, we explained how to find the Outlook Address Book location and what the term “Outlook contact list file location” actually means. We shared step-by-step methods to access your contacts both within Outlook and on your local system. Additionally, we provided a bonus solution for users who need to access their contacts outside Outlook or on mobile devices.

Using the suggested tool, you can convert OST files to VCF format safely and efficiently, preserving all contact information and ensuring full data integrity. This makes it a reliable option when the built-in or manual methods aren’t sufficient.