Microsoft KB Archive/936129

= You cannot create a new network connection in Windows XP, even if you are using a user account that is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group =

Article ID: 936129

Article Last Modified on 10/10/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

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SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Windows XP, you try to create a new network connection in the Network Connections item in Control Panel. However, the Create a new connection option does not appear in the Network Tasks list. Therefore, you cannot create the new network connection. This behavior occurs even if you are using a user account that is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group.

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:
 * The computer has not joined an Active Directory directory service domain.
 * The user account that you use to log on is not a member of the Administrators group.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because of behavior that occurs on a computer that has not joined a domain. The system does not check whether the user account is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group before the system creates a new connection. Therefore, users who are not members of the Administrators group cannot create new network connections.



RESOLUTION
After you apply this hotfix, Windows XP checks whether a user is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group. Then, Windows XP determines whether the user can create a new network connection.

Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed on the computer. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Restart requirement
You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows XP, x86-based versions


WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, follow these steps:  Create a connection by using administrator credentials. The administrator should manually give the file creation rights to a user account that is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group for the following directory:







STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the Network Configuration Operators group, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

297938 A description of the Network Configuration Operators group

For more information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbwinxppresp3fix kbexpertiseinter kbexpertisebeginner kbbug kbfix kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbpubtypekc KB936129

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