HELP - WinXP Pro Registry Entry Dissapearss on Boot

[Tecknomage]

According to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/886549

Under...
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

.....there should be.....

Recent REG_EXPAND_SZ %USERPROFILE%\Recent

Problem, the "Recent" entry keeps disappearing when I reboot my home (WinXP
Pro SP3) PC.

I've also confired the Registry entery for Recent IS there on my work PC
running the same WinXP Pro SP3.


Note, the Recent entry IS under "Shell Folders" but with full path to
my profile Recent folder.

(For those who bother to note, yes, this is a repost of the question, but
nobody answered the 1st post.)

 

[db.·.. >]

if it is the only profile you
are having issues with then
probably, should delete
it profile and re create
a new one.

incidentally, there is a
profile hive cleaner avail
at microsoft.com.

 

[Tecknomage]

if it is the only profile you
are having issues with then
probably, should delete
it profile and re create
a new one.

incidentally, there is a
profile hive cleaner avail
at microsoft.com.

I'll try that.

 

[Tecknomage]

I'll try that.

After looking at my system I found I was already running the UPHClean
Service. Even had Start/Stop cmd file shortcuts for it.

UPHClean is only for finding problems with User Profile loads/unloads,
not for fixing my type of problem.

Still need suggestions on what could be causing the Recent Registry
entry to disappear each boot.

I do have a work-around, a shortcut in Startup that runs a silent load
of the .reg file with Recent, %USERPROFILE%\Recent, included. Exported
the Key after manually editing the Key to include Recent as stated in
the KB.

But that's only a work-around. Still need a permanent fix.

OPPS - forgot. Another symptom, even with my work-around for the
Key...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

Has a sub-Key "New." Pops up each boot, even if I use Regedit to
delete it.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders\New

I check the systems at work and the sub-Key New should not be there.

Does this give anyone a hint on what's going on?

 

[John John (MVP)]

After looking at my system I found I was already running the UPHClean
Service. Even had Start/Stop cmd file shortcuts for it.

UPHClean is only for finding problems with User Profile loads/unloads,
not for fixing my type of problem.

Still need suggestions on what could be causing the Recent Registry
entry to disappear each boot.

I do have a work-around, a shortcut in Startup that runs a silent load
of the .reg file with Recent, %USERPROFILE%\Recent, included. Exported
the Key after manually editing the Key to include Recent as stated in
the KB.

But that's only a work-around. Still need a permanent fix.

OPPS - forgot. Another symptom, even with my work-around for the
Key...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

Has a sub-Key "New." Pops up each boot, even if I use Regedit to
delete it.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders\New

I check the systems at work and the sub-Key New should not be there.

Does this give anyone a hint on what's going on?

Take a look at the programs or process that start when you boot the
computer. This doesn't happen on its own, there is something running
that deletes the key or values and creates new ones. Maybe you have a
"tweak" tool of some kind doing this, or maybe you have a virus. Does
this happen with all user accounts? Does it happen when you boot in
Safe-Mode?

If you can't find it in your startup items get the Sysinternals Regmon
utility and set it to boot log the registry then see if you can find out
what process is responsible.

John

 

[Tecknomage]

Take a look at the programs or process that start when you boot the
computer. This doesn't happen on its own, there is something running
that deletes the key or values and creates new ones. Maybe you have a
"tweak" tool of some kind doing this, or maybe you have a virus. Does
this happen with all user accounts? Does it happen when you boot in
Safe-Mode?

Now that's an idea I missed.

If you can't find it in your startup items get the Sysinternals Regmon
utility and set it to boot log the registry then see if you can find out
what process is responsible.

John

Thanks for the pointer to Regmon. I also use Process Explorer.

 

[John John (MVP)]

Now that's an idea I missed.






Thanks for the pointer to Regmon. I also use Process Explorer.

You're welcome. Keep in my that if you are using a "Tweak" tool or
"privacy" tool that it might be doing this as part of a shutdown routine
and that along with the MRUs it might be deleting the whole registry
key, in short, a badly programed utility!

John

 

[Tecknomage]

You're welcome. Keep in my that if you are using a "Tweak" tool or
"privacy" tool that it might be doing this as part of a shutdown routine
and that along with the MRUs it might be deleting the whole registry
key, in short, a badly programed utility!

John,

Are you a mind reader?

You hit the nail on the head. X-Setup Pro had a "plugin" for "Clear
Recent on exit." Unchecked that and the "problem" went away.

I forgot about it until you mentioned tweaks could be the cause.

Again thanks.

Have a very nice day...

 

[John John (MVP)]

John,

Are you a mind reader?

No, I just had my crystal ball repolished...

You hit the nail on the head. X-Setup Pro had a "plugin" for "Clear
Recent on exit." Unchecked that and the "problem" went away.

I forgot about it until you mentioned tweaks could be the cause.

Again thanks.

Have a very nice day...

You're welcome and thank you.

John