"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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[Les W]

Brink ,
try this then although all you can see is a bunch of envelopes

 

[Brink]

I spotted that the contacts folder is not capitalized. In the Start menu search line, type shell:Contacts and press Enter to see if it opens the C:\Users\Contacts folder instead and not a contacts one.

 

[Les W]

I did as you asked and got what you wanted

 

[Brink]

Les,

I'm not sure why that when you click on a empty space in the right main pane of that window and follow the tutorial to select the Contacts template that you do not get the New Contact button.

Right click on the C:\Users\(user name)\Contacts folder and click on Properties, Location tab, and Restore Default button, and OK.

 

[Everlong]

Thanks Brink

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Everlong.

Shawn

 

[Les W]

I did that but no change

 

[Les W]

went through the tutorial again and got it now do I just type in the name of the new group and i drop each person into the new group then I post to the new group , can that go in BBC or not

 

[Brink]

Les, I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

Yes, you can place a contact group in the Bcc field.

 

[Les W]

Many thanks Brink for your patience .

Les

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Les.

 

[razzell2]

Well, Iv'e been here 3 times now, using this tutorial to bring my "new contacts", and "new contact group" icons back to my email program.

That should tell us something, yes?

Correct! My system seems to default back to the Windows Mail version that has the missing icons.

Can anyone tell me how to stop it from resetting back to the missing icon view?
Is there a folder option, other than apply, and ok, to get these icons to stay where they belong?

Sorry to keep bugging, but I gotta fix this thing.

Thanks guys/gals.

Russell Munson

 

[Les W]

Russell , I went through a lot of frustration trying to get the button back in my case I wanted the add group button only the contacts was already there . result was going through the process it added the group which was what I wanted although I didnt get add new group button in the regular mail folder I just got it by going through the c:\users\ name person \ route . Sorry cant be of much help there

 

[razzell2]

Les, I appreciate your help nonetheless.
I just went to my Contact folder, thru Explorer, and changed the settings there, at what I hope is the source.
As opposed to changing the folder thru my email contacts tab/link.
So, when I reboot my computer, I will log back in and let you know if those buttons disappear, or remain.
I will try and do that today.
Thanks Les, and all of you who contribute and comment to my questions and comments.
Russell Munson

 

[bewords]

Ditto wow. How did you figure that out!
Thanks so much.

 

[cazxx1]

is this just for vista I have vista but use windows hotmail

 

[Brink]

Hello Cazxx1,

Yes, this is only for the Contacts used by Windows Mail in Vista and not for Hotmail.

You will need to use the Hotmail website, Windows Live Messenger, or Windows Live Mail to make changes to your Hotmail contacts instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[razzell2]

Hey bewords.

Yeah, lol...that actually worked!

Going to the main folder thru windows explorer, and using this tutorial to bring my new contact, and new contact groups iconss back, and then applying and ok'ing that setting worked.

Now those two contact buttons do not disappear when I log off, shut down, and turn the computer back on in the morning.

How did I know that? lol.
I didnt. But Ive had folder option issues before, (not with my vista but with my older xp puter), and I remembered that you need to go to the source folder to get settings and options to stick.

Anyway, Im glad we figured it out, and Im glad it worked for you too, bewords.

Hey, vistaforums....do you think I can qualify for a techie/mod job with you guys?

Ha. (Guy tweaks a couple of things, gets lucky, and thinks hes a pro, eh?)


Later
Russell

 

[woodneye]

I get as far as "Customize this folder" and 'contacts' is even missing from this list. Any ideas, greatly appreciated. Woodneye.

 

[Brink]

Hello Woodneye,

Open it from the C:\Users\user name\Contacts folder location instead of the Start menu, and you should have the Customize this folder option from step 2 there.

Once there you should be able to follow the tutorial to change the folder template back to the default Contacts.

Hope this helps,
Shawn