"New Contact" and "New Contact Group" Button Missing

How to Restore the Missing "New Contact" and "New Contact Group" Button in Vista Contacts Folder​

   Information

This will show you how to restore the missing New Contact and New Contact Group toolbar buttons in the C:\Users\(user name)\Contacts folder window.

   Tip

If the New Contact or New Contact Group button does not work, then double check to make sure that Windows Contacts is set as the default program with all of it's associations set to it as well.

EXAMPLE: C:\Users\(user name)\Contacts Folder Window

NOTE: The New Contact and New Contact Group toolbar buttons are boxed in red below.

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Here's How:​

1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the C:\Users\(user name)\Contacts folder.​

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2. Right click on a empty space in the main middle pane of the window and click on Customize This Folder. (See screenshot below)​

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3. Under the What kind of folder do you want, click on the drop down arrow next to the listed template. (See screenshot below)​

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4. Click on Contacts to select it. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: Check Also apply this template to all subfolders if you want to change all subfolders in the Contacts folder to the Contacts template as well.​

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5. Click on OK. (See screenshot above)​

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That's it,​

Shawn​

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Related Tutorials

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• How to Fix Most Problems with Vista "Windows Mail"
• How to Create and Use a Contact Group in Vista
• How to Create a New E-mail to a Common Contact Shortcut in Vista
• How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista

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[gremer]

first time here in the forums. thank you sir.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Gremer, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[Ceal]

I have done the above at least 3 times. But still, inside my mail program, I cannot add a contact. (When I go to the contacts folder, the choice of "contacts" for the folder is already selected.)

This is really frustrating since I need to do this at least once a week.

I found that I can work with the contacts by going to c:\users\username\contacts but this is an annoying extra step when working with email.

This did not occur when I first started using Vista in August, but has happened somewhere along the way.

 

[nifty]

That didn't work for me. I must already have messed some other setting up. Any other suggestions?

 

[Brink]

Hello Nifty, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Which part did not work for you?

What exactly is your entire problem incase it may be caused by something else?

Shawn

 

[Brink]

I have done the above at least 3 times. But still, inside my mail program, I cannot add a contact. (When I go to the contacts folder, the choice of "contacts" for the folder is already selected.)

This is really frustrating since I need to do this at least once a week.

I found that I can work with the contacts by going to c:\users\username\contacts but this is an annoying extra step when working with email.

This did not occur when I first started using Vista in August, but has happened somewhere along the way.

Hello Ceal, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Double check to make sure that Windows Contacts and Windows Mail is set as the default program with all of their associations set for them.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[nifty]

I was having trouble previously with setting up the contacts as my old Address book looked. I don't remember what I may have changed in the process. My current problem is just not being able to add a group because the Add new group option is not there. I tried going to the options settings and selecting Contacts, as you suggested, but I still don't have that option.

 

[Brink]

Nifty,

Are you doing this from the C:\Users\(user name)\Contacts folder?

You might also double check to make sure that Windows Contacts and Windows Mail is set as the default program with all of their associations set for them as well.

 

[Ceal]

Ok I checked defaults and they were ok for Windows mail but not for the contacts. However, that didn't fix the problem.

For now, however, I may have fixed the problem. While I had Windows Mail opened, I opened the contacts. In the left window, under the list of files, I right-clicked on the "contacts" folder. I chose properties and under one of those tabs, it said it was a document folder. I changed this to "contacts" and I had all my buttons back to add contacts etc.!

I closed the email program and reopened it and everything was still there. No idea why that should work when it did not work by going to c:\users\username\contacts.

 

[Brink]

Ceal,

It must have been the wrong template on the other one causing the issue as well at C:\Users\username\Contacts to.

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted. Thank you for sharing your results.

 

[Les W]

Hi am just new here . I tried doing what you said about creating a new group unfortunately I cant seem to get the new box which says add new group though . I have the box which says contacts and when I click on that I get another box and one of the choices is customise . I click that and get the other box which has separator and contacts and other such things . How do I add something to that its not as if I can type anything in there .
A reply would be appreciated I hope I can back to this page. have bookmarked it so I should get back . See you soon I hope .

 

[Brink]

Hello Les W., and welcome to Vista Forums.

Are you doing this from the C:\Users\(user name)\Contacts folder location?

Shawn

 

[Les W]

Did you mean the one on the left side contacts . Might be better if you walked me through it please

 

[Brink]

Les, that would be the correct folder.

I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, but I must ask to verify:

When you right click on a empty space in the main window area and click on Properties, do you not see the Contacts option as described in the tutorial.

 

[Les W]

Yes I got that .

 

[Brink]

Ok Les,

If you have that folder template selected and still do not have the New Contact button, then double check to make sure that Windows Contacts is set as the default program with all of it's associations set for it as well.

 

[Les W]

well I stepped through the default settings as stated and when I opened up the mail I still dont have any extra buttons there . There is a contact box a calendar a find box and a folder list box thats all in the way of boxes. Question would Moxilla firefox have anything to do with this I notice in this chat with you its opening up firefox and I usually work in explorer ? Just a thought !

 

[Brink]

I do not think it will affect Contacts, but you can make Internet Explorer the default program with all accociations set for it as a test to see if it may help.

Can you post a screenshot of the entire C:\Users\(username)\Contacts folder with your contacts edited out of course?

 

[boerad]

I thank you, too! A simple solution to an annoying problem.
ARB

 

[Brink]

I thank you, too! A simple solution to an annoying problem.
ARB

You're welcome ARB.

Shawn