Changing Default Contact List for TO: Message Composition 1) Open Outlook. 2) Click on the Contacts shortcut. 3) Select the name of the contacts list you want and right click on it and choose properties. 4) Click on the Outlook Address Book tab and ensure the Show this folder as an e-mail Address Book checkbox is checked on. 5) Click OK. 6) While still in the Contacts view, click on Tools and Address Book. 7) In the Address Book window click on Tools and choose Options. 8) In the Show this address list first: drop-down menu choose the list that you want to appear by default. 9) Click OK. 10) Close the Address Book window.