How to Make Outlook 2010 Use Google Maps for Addresses
If you keep address information in Outlook there is a little map button that will automatically bring up Bing maps. But you can switch it to Google Maps instead.
If you store the contact’s address information in Outlook, a little map button will automatically bring the maps up using Bing. But, what if you prefer to use Google Maps? Microsoft didn’t include an easy way to choose what service you prefer, but with this quick registry tweak, you can change just that.
If you prefer to skip the below steps, you can download the pre-made registry fix. When the download is finished, double-click it and select Yes on the confirmation window.
Step 1 – Launch Regedit
Click the Windows Start Menu Orb and type regedit into the search box. From the program results, click regedit.exe or press Enter on your keyboard.
Step 2 – Add a new string value entry to the registry
Navigate to the following registry key:
| HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice14.0OutlookOptionsGeneral |
In the General key, right-click an empty area in the right pane and select New > String Value. Name the new value to: MapScriptURL
Step 3 – Modify value data of the new registry entry
Right-click the newly created MapScriptURL and Select Modify… Now in the Value data box, paste in the following URL:
| http://maps.google.com/?q=<0s>, <1s>, <2s>, <3s>, <4s> |
Click OK to save changes and finish.
Done!
Now, whenever you press the Map button in Outlook, it will open up your default internet browser and take you to that address using Google Maps. If you want to switch back to Bing, go in and delete the new MapScriptURL string value created in this guide.
7 Comments
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Jim
Does not work. Have repeatedly entered this key, have used *.reg files downloaded from sites with the same explanation and I repeatedly get an error with ANY map provider (google, bing, mapquest).
The KEY is as noted in the above directions (for BING).
The error appears to be the URL that is being entered into the web-browser. It is entering the following URL for BING
http://r.office.microsoft.com/rhttp:/www.bing.com/maps/?where1=108+E.+Hillcrest+Ave,%20Orlando,%20FL,%20,%20United+States+of+America
This is really a bogus URL IMHO – and will not work.
I am running Outlook 2007 with IE9.
Comments?
Jeremy
Jim, this is for Office 2010. It may not work with Office 2007, but if it did the registry location would be:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Options\General
Notice the 12.0 instead of 14.0.
Jim
Jeremy – I agree on that being the registry location. If I add the change to the registery it does change what happens (i.e. rather than hitting BING – it launches to a different URL). But as I noted – the URL picks up a prefix that makes it non-viable.
Maybe there is a different key – or some modification to the URL needed.
Oh well thanks for the information.
Andy
I have the same problem like Jim! It doesn’t work. the URL picks up the prefix – http://r.office.microsoft.com/rhttp:/maps.google.com/…
Gene
Hi Austin,
I have had OutLook 14 for quite a while and I have found Bing Maps
inadequate at pinpointing addresses. Google Maps works well even with Japanese addresses.
So wanting to do something about this I ran the question through Google and came upon your remedy. I must complement you on your concise instructions and well annotated screenshots.
It has worked perfectly,and no longer have to copy/paste into Google Maps.
Many thanks for the excellent tip.
Gene F.
Scott
Works perfect.
Done in 30 seconds.
EXCELLENT tiP!!
cAP LOCKS…ARRRGGG!
Adam
I got a problem….under options I only got Calender, MSHTML (expandable), and ToDoBar…no General? I have just run AVG PC Tuneup,not sure if it has anything to do with it?