Backup Quick Access Toolbar settings

I have modified my Quick Access Toolbar in Outlook quite a bit and I would like to save the changes in case I need to reinstall.

How can I backup the QAT and can I also copy these to my laptop?

Backup QAT Settings 2007 buttonOutlook 2007 doesn’t offer an option to export and import your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) settings. However, the customizations are stored in multiple qat-files in the following folder;

  • Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista
    C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office
  • Windows XP
    C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Office

Note: Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016 stores the QAT-settings in the same folders but stores them in officeUI-files which also contains Ribbon customizations.

Pasting the path to the qat-files in the Address Bar of File Explorer. (click on image to enlarge)

Note: The mentioned folder location is hidden by default. You can copy and paste the above location in the Address Bar of File Explorer to open it or configure Windows to show hidden files and folders; Control Panel-> Folder Options-> tab View

Migrating QAT settings to a different computer

You should be able to migrate these files between computers by simply copying the files from one computer to the other. Any command that you have placed in the QAT which isn’t available on the other computer (such as a function of an add-in or custom VBA code) will be removed automatically.

Overview of qat-files for Outlook 2007

There are up to 19 qat-files possible for Outlook 2007. If you haven’t modified the QAT for the corresponding item window, there won’t be a qat-file for it either. Below you’ll find an overview of the qat files and their corresponding item window.

File nameItem Window
olkmailitem.qatComposing a Message
olkmailread.qatOpened Message
olkpostitem.qatComposing a Post
olkpostread.qatOpened a Post
olkappitem.qatAppointment or Meeting Request
olkaddritem.qatContact item
olkdlstitem.qatDistribution list item
olktaskitem.qatTask or Task Request item
olklogitem.qatJournal entry
olkrssite.qatOpened RSS item
olkshareitem.qatComposing a Sharing Invitation
olkshareread.qatOpened Sharing Invitation
olkreportitem.qatOpened Receipt (delivery notification, read notification, vote answer, accepted meeting request, accepted task request)
olkmreqread.qatOpened Meeting Request, Task Request or Cancellation
olkrespondseread.qatOpened Meeting Request responds item (accepted, declined, tentative)
olkrespcounter.qatOpened new proposal responds item for a Meeting Request
olkrespondsesend.qatComposing a responds for a Meeting Request (accept, decline, tentative, new proposal)
olkreqsend.qatComposing a forwarded Meeting Request
olkresenditem.qatComposing a Send Again message (for failed messages)
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