Sometime back someone decided to populate the address field in active directory user account. This update in active directory carried over to the global address list (we are on O365 exchange online). This in turn updated the contacts in Outlook 2010 and 2013. Later the address was removed from the active directory address fields. Thought this would update the contacts. It did but the address shows in the "notes" field now. Actually, it shows the address and the timestamp when the fields were populated and it again shows the "striked-through" address and the timestamp to imply it was removed.

Is there a way to remove these entries from the users outlook contact "notes"?

Hi,

If you need to remove the existing information in the Notes field, we can only delete it manually as far as I know.

Anyway for the reason to show the information in the Notes fields... It is actually a feature of the Social Connector, with the automatic updates of contacts enabled by default. A change log is added to notes so you know what was changed.

If you don't want to update the changes automatically, in Outlook 2010, go to the View ribbon, People Pane, Account Settings, Settings button and change the update option from Update without prompting to Prompt before update or Never update.

In addition, if you need the auto-update process but don't want the Update Log entries in the notes field, we can't do this currently as far as I know.

Regards,

Melon Chen
TechNet Community Su

Thank you Melon.

"if you don't want to update the changes automatically" -> Can that be done through the group policy? Please note that we would want the people to sync with GAL.

Also, can you please confirm that the addresses that currently reside in the "notes" filed of people/contacts in Outlook 2010/2013 can only be removed manually?

Hi,

Yes, administrators can disable Contact & GAL sync using group policy. Its found under Outlook > Outlook Social Connector in the Group Policy editor. Look for Block Global Address List synchronization.

For Outlook 2013, it's Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Outlook 2013 -> Outlook Social Connector -> Block Global Address List synchronization.

For details about this feature, please refer to this article below:

http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/contacts/contacts-are-being-updated/

Please Note: Since the web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

As mentioned in a reply from Diane, our Outlook MVP, it seems we can clear the field by VBA. However, I'm not familiar with coding things, so I can't guarantee this information.

Regards,

Melon Chen
TechNet Community Su

Actually I do not want to disable the contact and GAL sync. Just want to see if a GPO can be used to disable the writing on the "notes" field.

Hi,

As far as I know, there is no such method to disable the writing in the "Notes" field but still with the sync enabled.

Regards,

Melon Chen
TechNet Community Su