Microsoft KB Archive/197077

= Multiple Windows Open Automatically at Logon =

Article ID: 197077

Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition

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This article was previously published under Q197077



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 Windows NT, multiple windows may open. When this occurs, one window opens for each file or folder in the root folder on the hard disk.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if there is no string data assigned to the Common Startup value in the following registry key:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ User Shell Folders

This value points to the folder from which the Startup group items for the All Users profile are to be run. If this value is not present, Windows NT assumes that all files and folders in the root folder on the hard disk on which Windows NT is installed must be opened.



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.

To resolve this issue, add the string data "%SystemRoot%\Profiles\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup" to the Common Startup value in the following registry key:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ User Shell Folders



STATUS
This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kbenv kbprb KB197077

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