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Q104042: PRB: Unable to Write to the Windows NT Registry

Article: Q104042
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 1.0 2.0 2.1 4.0 4.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbsetup
Last Modified: 22-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual C++, versions 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 4.0, 4.1 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Windows NT sets up each Windows NT user with a different environment. When you
install Visual C++ 32-bit Edition, Visual C++ installs for that particular user.
If the user changes his or her group membership (privileges), then the Registry
Key will not work accordingly with Visual C++. The following two messages may
appear if this happens when starting Visual Workbench:

- Message 1:

  

  The options Registry Key 'Visual C++' is missing. A new Registry
  Key will be created using the default settings."

  Press OK to continue.

- Message 2:

  

  Unable to write to the NT Registry. Option settings will not be
  saved.

  Press OK to continue.

After these messages, Visual C++ starts running. However, when you exit you
receive the second message again.

CAUSE
=====

Each Windows NT user has a different user profile and privilege level. Each user
may not have access to the same Registry Key information as the person who
installed Visual C++. Changing the privilege level of the person who installed
Visual C++ causes this problem.

RESOLUTION
==========

Check with the Windows NT administrator for the machine to correctly perform the
following steps to rebuild the Registry Key for that particular Visual C++
user.

1. Log in as Administrator and give the user of Visual C++ administrative
  privileges to delete the Visual C++ entry, with the Registry Editor
  (REGEDT32.EXE) located in the \WINNT\SYSTEM32 directory. The Visual C++ entry
  is under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft, Visual C++. Be sure not
  to delete any entries other than Visual C++.

2. Remove the administrative privileges for the Visual C++ user.

3. Log in as the user and start Visual C++ again; this time you will only
  receive the first message above and a new Registry entry will be created.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbsetup 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbVC400 kbAudDeveloper kbvc100 kbVC410 kbVC200 kbVC210
Version           : 1.0 2.0 2.1 4.0 4.1
Issue type        : kbprb

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