T
TheAutomator
I searched for help regarding a problem I had when I upgraded Windows
98 to Windows XP Professional where all the icons appeared twice on the
Desktop. Microsoft's website seemed to have nothing that would come up
when I searched about this problem. After reading a couple of posts
here, I was able to work in the right direction and figure out the
problem!
The problem lies in the registry entries that are supposed to point to
the Documents and Settings\All Users profile. Instead of pointing to
the correct folder,
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
Folders\Common Desktop was pointing to %USERPROFILE%\Desktop instead of
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop. This key causes a change to an entry in
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders\Common Desktop which refers to the absolute location of the
current user profile (usually C:\Documents and
Settings\UserName\Desktop). After making these corrections and logging
off/logging on, the double icons ceased. Everything was as it should
be again.
This area of the registry also contains entries that refer to other
parts of "All Users" profile and can be the cause of Start Menu
problems or any other pointers refered to in this area. Check this out
if you are having DOUBLE TROUBLE!
Lee T. Hawkins
Lorain County Community College
Elyria, Ohio
98 to Windows XP Professional where all the icons appeared twice on the
Desktop. Microsoft's website seemed to have nothing that would come up
when I searched about this problem. After reading a couple of posts
here, I was able to work in the right direction and figure out the
problem!
The problem lies in the registry entries that are supposed to point to
the Documents and Settings\All Users profile. Instead of pointing to
the correct folder,
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
Folders\Common Desktop was pointing to %USERPROFILE%\Desktop instead of
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop. This key causes a change to an entry in
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders\Common Desktop which refers to the absolute location of the
current user profile (usually C:\Documents and
Settings\UserName\Desktop). After making these corrections and logging
off/logging on, the double icons ceased. Everything was as it should
be again.
This area of the registry also contains entries that refer to other
parts of "All Users" profile and can be the cause of Start Menu
problems or any other pointers refered to in this area. Check this out
if you are having DOUBLE TROUBLE!
Lee T. Hawkins
Lorain County Community College
Elyria, Ohio