Registry Mystery

[JD]

My registry keeps inserting two folders, Local Service and Network Service,
under User Shell Folders in HKUsers and HKCU. Registry First Aid keeps
noting "invalid paths" and correcting them, but after each reboot they
reappear. Anyone know what this means, or how to prevent it?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

JD,

Have you inspected the ProfileImagePath value in the registry?
Example: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/userpath.htm

If your user profile path points to NetworkService folder, and then every
other special folder will use this path, as they all use relative Paths.

 

[JD]

Thank you Ramesh. I will study your suggestions (very) carefully before I
act.
Jim

 

[JD]

Hello Ramesh,
Here's what I find under ProfileList:
One shows Documents and Settings/Local Service
The second shows Documents and Settings/Network Service
The third shows Documents and Settings/Owner
The fourth shows Documents and Settings/system profile
Checking my other computer, I found exactly the same entries. I suspect that
this is a "default" setting and should be left alone. What do you think?
I am curious as to what Local Service and Network Service mean.
Regards, Jim

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Jim,

To know the SID for your user account, you may use this script:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/reg/SIDList.vbs

If it points to the correct location already, then the next step is to
inspect the "User Shell Folders" path. This is where the special folders
path are defined.

Reset the Shell Folders paths to defaults:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

 

[JD]

I've never moved any shell folders, and the User Shell Folders are already
"correct" according to the info in the link you sent me. The only references
I find to "Local Service" and "Network Service" are in HKLM / Software /
Microsoft / Windows NT / Current Version / Profile List.
As I said, I find the same values in my other computer. I strongly suspect
that this is "default" behavior and is best left alone.
I still wonder what "Local Service" and "Network Service" mean in this
context.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Built-in Security Principals:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prdd_sec_wdkv.asp

 

[JD]

Thanks for the link. I note that it applies to Windows XP Professional, and
I am using XP Home. I also note the closing line, which is quite striking:
Important

a.. It is recommended that you not remove or change the permissions that
pertain to the built-in security principals themselves.
I still don't understand why the folders Local Service and Network Service
are interposed in the Profile List. However, I will ponder it, and,
meanwhile, not make any changes to a system that is working fine. "If it
ain't broke..."
Thanks again,
Jim