What to Do With .CONTACT Files on Windows

A file with this extension stores contact information — text and a photo. It contains the full name of a person, their email, phone numbers, work and home addresses, and more. The format is native to all versions of Windows from Vista to 10. How can you open and use it?

These files are based on XML, and they are automatically indexed by Windows, so you can search for specific contacts on your machine. The data can be opened by a built-in program. Alternatively, you may import .contact files into Outlook by converting them. Here are the basics of managing information of this type. 

By default, all files with this extension are found in a specific folder. Enter C:\Users\[USERNAME]\Contacts\ in your Windows Explorer to find it. You can open each file directly with a double click or double tap, depending on your device. This launches a special native program called Windows Contacts. Alternatively, you may use Windows Live Mail, an obsolete mail client, or run the wab.exe command.

The nature of the files means they are also recognizable for text editors. For example, you might open them in your Notepad or a third-party app. On the downside, you will only see the details in the text form.

The majority of systems will only read contacts if they are stored as CSV or VCF files. This makes conversion inevitable. Fortunately, it is relatively easy. 

Note that the export feature is only available in the original folder. If your contacts are stored in a different location, you do not have access to this special menu. Move the items to their default location, or use a converter.

Transformation to CSV gives certain flexibility. Users may limit the selection of data for transfer. For example, you may want to exclude the home address or notes.

This format is native to Windows, so you should not experience any problems. The most common cause of failure to open is that users confuse the extension. For example, they try to open *.contour files, which are used by the eponymous program, or *.controls files containing settings. If you need to open the files in a different program, convert them.

Obviously, many users prefer to access their contacts through Outlook. Unfortunately, the system does not recognize the extension. To import the data, you will need to export it to individual *.VCF (vCard) files. Then, transform them into PST. Dealing with the files one by one is tedious and unnecessary. Get a special converter, and achieve the goal in seconds.