Open With Dialog Cannot Contain Registry Keys Exceeding 63 Characters

ID: Q242996

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Site Server version 3.0, Commerce Edition

SYMPTOMS

The "Open With" dialog does not display all associated applications.

CAUSE

The Windows NT "Open With" dialog has a hard-coded 64 byte (63 characters plus NULL terminator) limitation when the associated application list is created. If HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT contains any entries where the registry key name exceeds 63 characters, the application list creation process is ended early, and all of the possible entries are not displayed.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT 4.0 service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:


   Date      Time                 Size    File name     Platform
   -------------------------------------------------------------
   09/29/1999  05:53p           1,279,248 Shell32.dll   x86
   09/29/1999  05:52p           1,854,736 Shell32.dll   alpha

WORKAROUND

Remove registry key names that exceed 63 characters.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00
Version : winnt:3.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug