Programs Folder is Empty in Windows NT 4.0 with System Policies

ID: Q176988

The information in this article applies to:
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 


Keywords          : ntdomain NTSrvWkst 
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: January 22, 1999