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Q176988: Programs Folder Empty in Windows NT 4.0 with System Policies

Article: Q176988
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): WinNT:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 10-AUG-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
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IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry.
Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it
if a problem occurs. For information on how to do this, view the "Restoring
the Registry" online Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry
Key" online Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS
========

After you implement System Policies for Windows NT 4.0, you find that your
Programs Folder is empty or shows the wrong contents when viewed from the Start
Menu. This may also be the case with your Startup Folder, Desktop, Start Menu,
or Network Neighborhood folders.

CAUSE
=====

The registry entry or entries that point(s) to the proper location is either
incorrect or missing.

RESOLUTION
==========

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall Windows. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems
resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry
Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And
Values" online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and
Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" online Help topics
in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

Go to the following location in the Registry and verify the data for each of the
following values. The default values are listed below:

\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Explorer\User Shell Folders

NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.

Name: Desktop
Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data: %USERPROFILE%\Desktop

Name: NetHood
Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data: %USERPROFILE%\NetHood

Name: Programs
Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data: %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs

Name: Start Menu
Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data: %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu

Name: Startup
Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data: %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

MORE INFORMATION
================

If this problem persists, remove your system policy and repeat the above
procedure.


Additional query words: editor remove uncheck un-check clear poledit spe
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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Hardware          : x86
Issue type        : kbprb

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