To resolve this issue, rename the address book name. Do not rename the extension.
NOTE: The address book file name is usually your logon name.
If the file extension is not visible, you may disable hiding of the File Extensions. To do so, follow these steps:
Disable the Hiding of File Extensions
- Double-click My Computer, and then click Options (or Folder Options) on the View menu.
- Click the View tab, and then clear the check box Hide file extensions for known file types (or Hide MS-DOS file extensions for file types that are registered).
- Click OK, and then close My Computer.
Renaming the Address Book
- Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
- In the Named box, type *.wab. By default, the file should be located in the Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book folder.
- Right-click the Name.wab file, and then click Rename. Do not change the .wab file extension.
- Type a new name for the file, and then press ENTER.
- Start Outlook Express and then open the address book. This action creates a new address book.
- Import the messages from the first renamed *.wab file into the new address book.