Using Identities

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Identities allow two or more users who share a common Windows 2000 user account to have separate Address Book files. (Note that users who share a computer but have separate Windows 2000 user accounts automatically have separate Address Book files.) Identities can share particular records by means of the Shared Contacts folder.

To create a new identity, you must run Address Book from the Start menu. If you run it from within Outlook Express or another application, the appropriate File menu commands don't appear.

To create a new identity:

1. Open the File menu and choose Switch Identity.
2. In the dialog box that appears, click Manage Identities.
3. In the Manage Identities dialog box, click New.
4. Type a name for the new identity.
5. If you want to require a password for access to the new identity, select the check box. Then supply and confirm a password.

To switch identities, choose Switch Identities from the File menu, select the identity you want from the ensuing dialog box, and supply the correct password if prompted.

To change an identity's name or password:

1. Choose Switch Identity from the File menu.
2. Click Manage Identities.
3. Select the identity you want to change and click Properties.

To share contacts among all identities:

1. Display the Folders And Groups pane.
2. Drag the appropriate records from the right pane to the Shared Contacts folder in the left pane.