Setup Error: "Cannot write to WIN.INI..."

ID: Q110422

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

The following error message may occur when you run Word for Windows Setup:

   Setup Error: Cannot write to INI file: WIN.INI, section MSAPPS,
   key MSAPPS.

CAUSE

This error occurs if your WIN.INI file is flagged as read-only.

 -or-

This error occurs if your WIN.INI file is too large (65,536 bytes is the maximum file size).

RESOLUTION

Remove the Read-Only attribute from all files located in the Windows\System folder. To remove the read-only attribute type the following command at an MS-DOS prompt in the Windows\System folder:

     attrib -r *.*

Restart the Word setup program.

 -or-

Edit your WIN.INI file to decrease the size. The WIN.INI file is limited to 64K. As the size of this file increases, unusual behavior may occur in Windows. This includes general protection (GP) faults, "Out of Memory" error messages, inability of programs to open or write to the file.

Use File Manager to verify that the file is not too large, or try opening it in Notepad. If the WIN.INI file is too large, you will receive an error message that Notepad cannot open the file. If this is the case open the file in an editor that will allow a file larger than 64K.

The WIN.INI file may become too large if there are a lot of duplicated sections and lines in the file. Make a backup of the WIN.INI file and open WIN.INI in a text editor and remove any duplicated sections or lines.

KBCategory: KBSubcategory: Additional query words: 6.0 write protected write-protected word6 winword

Keywords          : kbsetup
Version           : 6.0
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1998