how to clear/reset list of available and recent design templates?

[Amedee Van Gasse]

Hello,

I need to create a one page manual (a faq entry) + screenshots to
explain our users how to apply the new corporate branding on existing
slideshows.

On my pc, I just do:
1. File --> Open
2. Format --> Slide design
3. Click on one of the "Available for use" or "Recently used"
templates.

On my pc (and I think on all pcs in the department) I already have the
new template in the list of available/recent templates. However this
is not the case for the other users in the company, if they havn't
already made a slideshow based on the new template.
I saw a browse link at the bottom, but I fear this would be too
complicated for (some of) our users. I don't want them to browse
trough the network folders.
Also, I have 2 versions of the new corporate branding in my list, one
good and one almost good (a test version). The good template is
available at File -> New -> On my computer -> General. I don't know
where PowerPoint got the old version.

How can I "reset" my list of available/recent templates so I can make
a good faq with good screenshots?

 

[Amedee Van Gasse]

Hello,

I need to create a one page manual (a faq entry) + screenshots to
explain our users how to apply the new corporate branding on existing
slideshows.

On my pc, I just do:
1. File --> Open
2. Format --> Slide design
3. Click on one of the "Available for use" or "Recently used"
templates.

On my pc (and I think on all pcs in the department) I already have the
new template in the list of available/recent templates. However this
is not the case for the other users in the company, if they havn't
already made a slideshow based on the new template.
I saw a browse link at the bottom, but I fear this would be too
complicated for (some of) our users. I don't want them to browse
trough the network folders.
Also, I have 2 versions of the new corporate branding in my list, one
good and one almost good (a test version). The good template is
available at File -> New -> On my computer -> General. I don't know
where PowerPoint got the old version.

How can I "reset" my list of available/recent templates so I can make
a good faq with good screenshots?

Apparently this is a difficult question?
I googled a lot, but only found my own question on google groups...

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

If you feel comfortable modifying the registry, have a look here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\PowerPoint\Recent Templates

There's also a Recent Template List entry that may be relevant.

Another useful trick if you do a lot of this sort of thing is to set up a
virtual computer (Microsoft's Virtual PC software is free and very good, VMWare
Workstation is a little under $200 and more capable). Install the Office
components you need into the virtual computer and set the virtual computer to
ask before saving machine state on shutdown. Then you can have it retain any
changes you may have made or throw them away.

Do your tests on the real PC then use the VPC to apply only the desired changes
and do your screenshots there.