Optional Components Unavailable When User Profiles Are Enabled

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

The Windows Setup tab in the Add/Remove Programs tool may show that a component is installed, even though the component is not available to the current user.

For example, the The Microsoft Network check box may be selected in the Add/Remove Programs tool even though The Microsoft Network is not available to the current user.

CAUSE

When user profiles are enabled and neither "Include desktop icons and Network Neighborhood contents in user settings" nor "Include Start menu and Program groups in user settings" is selected, components are available only to the user who was logged on when the component was installed.

However, once a component has been installed by one user, the component shows as being installed on the Windows Setup tab regardless of which user is logged on.

RESOLUTION

To make a Windows 95 component that was installed by another user available to the current user, follow these steps:

1. Double-click My Computer.

2. Double-click Control Panel.

3. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

4. On the Windows Setup tab, click the component's check box to clear it.

5. Click the Apply button. If you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes. After the computer restarts, repeat steps 1-3 to return to the Add/Remove Programs Properties window if necessary.

6. Click the component's check box to select it.

7. Click the Apply button. If you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

This problem occurs with Windows 95 components that do not have Control Panel extensions. When these components are installed, Windows 95 updates the Start menu and registry only for the current user profile. When a different user logs on, the registry entries and Start menu shortcuts do not exist and the components are not available.

The status of components on the Windows Setup tab is not user-specific, however, so components are reported as installed no matter which user is logged on.