How to update all contacts from Active Directory

I know this is old, but it's the first search result in Google and doesn't have a proper answer. These screenshots are from Outlook 2013, but the process works identically in 2010 or 2007.

First, open your Address Book. You can find that in the Home tab of your ribbon. Screenshot of Outlook ribbon

Second, select your Global Address List. Global Address List

Third, select the contacts you want to update. You can select all of them by selecting the first one, scrolling to the end of the list, and Shift + click the last item. From there, right-click any selected contact and choose "Add to Contacts". Selecting the entire Global Address List

Fourth, you will receive a dialogue box for any matching / existing contacts. Choose "Update All", wait a moment, and you're done. This will update contact information, pictures, phone numbers, etc. Duplicate contacts

That's it! Now you have the most up-to-date information from Active Directory in your local address book. Enjoy. Maybe even do a happy dance.


Switch to your contacts view, then go to the "Send/Receive" tab. Under Send/Receive Groups, you should see an option to "Download Address Book." Now you will be prompted for a few options, and you can choose to update from the Global Address List (this is how your AD should push out contacts).

Download Address Book

Choose the correct parameters