OFF2000: Installing Office on Windows 95 and Windows 98 with and Without Profiles

ID: Q238122

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Office 2000

SUMMARY

Because User Profiles, by default, are not turned on with Windows 95 or Windows 98, and when you do turn them on, the Start menu can be either per-user or shared among users, there are special considerations to make when installing Office 2000.

This article lists the various configurations for User Profiles on Windows 95 and Windows 98 and discusses the various methods for installing Office under each one.

MORE INFORMATION

User Profiles Not Turned On (Default Configuration)

With a default Windows 95/98 installation, User Profiles are not turned on, and anyone who uses the computer sees the same Windows settings. Therefore, you do not need to take any special considerations when installing Office. After Office is installed, any user who logs on to the computer has access to the Office shortcuts on the Programs menu, and all users have the exact same Office configuration (installed features).

When Office is installed in this configuration, the following occurs:

Office shortcuts - installed to the Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder.

SourceList key - created in the registry at HK_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Products\{GUID}\

{Office GUID} folder - created at Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Installer.

NOTE: {GUID} in the above items refers to the Product Code for the version of Office you have installed. The {GUID} in the registry is a compressed version of the {GUID} folder on your hard disk. For example, you have the following for Office 2000 Premium:

HK_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Products\904000001E872D116BF00006799C897E

\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Installer\{00000409-78E1-11D2-B60F-006097C998E7}

Each user can access the Office programs, because each of the above three items is created in places that are available to all users. Any user who logs on can uninstall/reinstall or add new features (via Maintenance Mode) to the Office installation. Anything done during maintenance mode affects anyone who uses the computer.

NOTE: If you have Office installed and you turn on User Profiles, you may encounter problems starting the Office programs. This depends on whether you have an existing profile. Any new user who logs on for the first time automatically has the default user profile copied into their profile. This default user profile includes all of the registry information and shortcuts necessary to start Office programs.

Please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more information:

Q234017 OFF2000: Error Starting Programs After Disabling Profiles

User Profiles Turned On and Start Menu Is Shared

If you have User Profiles turned on and the Start menu is being shared among all users (you do not select the Include Start menu and Program groups in user settings check box on the User Profiles tab of the Password Properties dialog box), any user can install Office, and all users can run the Office programs.

When each user, other than the user who installed Office, logs on and starts their first Office program, they are prompted to confirm their own user name and initials. This gives the user unique Office-wide settings for features like AutoCorrect and custom toolbars. Also, any user whose profile did not exist before Office was installed can use the Office programs.

When Office is installed in this configuration, the following occurs:

Office shortcuts - installed to the Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder.

SourceList key - created in the registry at HKLM\Software\Classes\Installer\Products\{GUID}\

{Office GUID} folder - created at Windows\Installer.

Each user can access the Office programs, because each of the above three items is created in places that are available to all users. As in the above non-profiles configuration, any user can uninstall/reinstall or add new features (via Maintenance Mode) to the Office installation. Anything done during Maintenance Mode affects anyone who uses the computer.

If Office is installed in this configuration and you then turn off User Profiles, any user who logs on to the computer still can use the Office programs. However, you lose some unique Office settings you had when User Profiles were turned on, and any new settings you make may be shared among all users of the computer.

User Profiles Turned On and Start Menu Is Per-User

If you have User Profiles turned on, and the Start menu is not being shared among all users (you select the Include Start menu and Program groups in user settings check box on the User Profiles tab of the Password Properties dialog box), any user can install Office.

When Office is installed in this configuration, the following occurs:

Office shortcuts - installed to the Windows\Profiles\<username>\Start Menu\Programs folder.

SourceList key - created in the registry at HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Products\{GUID}

{Office GUID} folder - created at Windows\Profiles\<username>\Application Data\Microsoft\Installer.

In this configuration, however, each user who logs on must run Setup for Office. This includes users with existing profiles and users who log on for the first time. This is because the above three items are all written to the specific profile locations for the user who installed Office. When another user logs on, none of the relevant registry information or shortcuts exist for them. Even if you turn off User Profiles, at least one user must install Office--even if that user already installed Office when Profiles were turned on.

For more information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q233529 OFF2000: All Users Must Run Setup on Windows 95/98 with Profiles
Q234017 OFF2000: Error Starting Programs After Disabling Profiles

Additional query words: OFF2000


Keywords          : kbdta 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: July 29, 1999