I tried to follow your instructions for printing out my Windows 7 contacts, but I didn't find a Contacts app when I searched for it or looked in my Programs menu.
Windows Contacts, which works as a stand-alone address book or companion to the Windows Mail program, arrived with Windows Vista and replaced the older Windows Address Book feature of previous versions of the operating system. Some e-mail programs, like Windows Live Mail and others, may not automatically share their own address books with the Windows Contacts, which may account for missing contacts files in the Contacts folder. (These other e-mail programs, like Microsoft Outlook for example, have their own methods for printing as well.)
If you search for Contacts and find none from the Start menu's search box, try searching for wab.exe instead. An alternative method for getting to the Contacts folder is to go to the Start menu, search for (or open) the Run box, and type in C:\Users\YourUserName\Contacts (put your own user name in that string, of course). Press the Enter key. Even if your e-mail program's contacts are not in the Contacts folder, you should see one for yourself that was created when you set up your user account on the computer.
Once the Contacts folder is open on screen, you should see a menu bar along the top edge of the folder window with commands for creating new contacts, editing contacts, printing them and importing contacts from other programs. (Maximize the window or click on a contact if commands seem to be missing.) The contacts themselves appear as individual files within the folder.
If your e-mail program has not stored its addresses in the Contacts folder and you did not manually add them yourself, you might be able to import the information into Contacts so you can manage and print them. Microsoft's steps for importing and exporting address files between Windows Contacts and other programs outline the process. CSV (Comma Separated Values), vCard and Outlook Express contacts are among the compatible formats; the HowTech.PC site has a YouTube video that demonstrates how to export Windows Live Mail contacts as a CSV file if you want to see the procedure in action. The page also has links to articles for managing contacts and using them with other mail programs in Windows Vista and later.
Exporting and importing contacts between programs may seem like a hassle just to print them out, but it does give you a backup of your address book in case something happens to the computer or your e-mail program. Having a stand-alone manager like Windows Contacts can also save time if you want to look up someone's mailing address or phone number quickly with a Start menu search for the name without having to switch to your e-mail program.
