Folders Are Missing From User's Profiles Folder

ID: Q200835


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1 for Windows NT 4.0

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 about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you log on to your Microsoft Windows NT-based computer for the first time after installing Internet Explorer, and user profiles are enabled, the following folders may not be created in the user's profiles folder:

  • Cookies


  • Recent


  • History


  • Favorites


  • Desktop


  • Application Data



CAUSE

This issue can occur if the default user profile on your computer was copied from an existing user's profile. When you do so, personalized settings for Internet Explorer are not created.


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. 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" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).
To resolve this issue, delete the ActiveSetup registry branch from the following registry key on the affected computer:


HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft


MORE INFORMATION

If you want to copy parts of a user's profile to the default profile, use the information in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q185588 Guide To Windows NT 4.0 Profiles and Policies (Part 3 of 6)

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbui msient
Version : WINDOWS:4.0,4.01,4.01 Service Pack 1
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: December 2, 1999
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