That is known as the auto-complete function.
Windows Mail does not auto-complete from your contacts.
It uses a separate list of the last 29 recipients you've sent mail to.

The auto-complete feature works perfectly in the replacement
program, Windows Live Mail, which uses the standard contacts list
for auto-completion.
You are encouraged to upgrade to the newer WLM program:

http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview


--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)


"Justin" <Justin@nobecauseihatespam.com> wrote in message news:OybpFJk3JHA.1864@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Usually when one starts a new message and types in something like Steve
> - the rest of the name fills in. The contact is listed under "Contacts"
> from the main window but when a new message pane is brought up, he isn't
> listed under the contacts there - by hitting "to."
> I don't use windows mail so bear with me.