Microsoft KB Archive/87714

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How WinWord Uses the REG.DAT File in Windows 3.1

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Q87714

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
 * Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.1

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SUMMARY
Microsoft Word for Windows uses information from the Registration Database file (REG.DAT) for its object-linking-and-embedding (OLE) activities. In Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1, REG.DAT provides the information used by File Manager and Print Manager to support drag-and-drop functionality. When you first install Windows 3.1, the REG.DAT file contains information about all the OLE applications included with Windows. You should never move or delete REG.DAT; doing so can result in loss of functionality in File Manager, Program Manager, and applications that support OLE.

MORE INFORMATION
The Word for Windows Setup program updates the REG.DAT file by adding information about the program and the OLE server applications (Microsoft Graph, Microsoft Draw, Microsoft WordArt, and Microsoft Equation Editor) that ship with Word for Windows. During network installation, Setup updates REG.DAT for the server or workstation, depending on where Windows is installed. If your WINDOWS directory is flagged as read only, Word for Windows Setup cannot update the REG.DAT file, nor can it copy the OLE server application files to the WINDOWS subdirectories. If this occurs, Word for Windows Setup generates an error message.

If you cannot launch the OLE server applications from Word for Windows, you may need to update REG.DAT. To do this, use the Registration Info Editor (REGEDIT.EXE) program, which ships with Windows 3.1. You can also reconstruct the REG.DAT file by running Word for Windows Setup to reinstall the program.

Important Note: If you move any OLE server applications, you must update the REG.DAT file so that Word for Windows can locate them.

To update REG.DAT using REGEDIT.EXE, use the steps below.

Note: Be sure to make a backup copy of the REG.DAT file before you use these instructions.


 * 1) From the Program Manager File menu, choose Run.
 * 2) In the Command Line box, type REGEDIT, then choose the OK button.
 * 3) Under Registered File Types, select the file type you want to update (for example, Word Document).
 * 4) From the Edit menu, choose Modify File Type.
 * 5) Type the correct location in the Command box, or choose the Browse button to locate the program file. (For example, for Word Document, locate the WINWORD.EXE file.) Choose the OK button.
 * 6) From the File menu, choose Exit. Your changes are written to the REG.DAT file at this time.

Note: CheckFree software uses a non-Windows-related file called REG.DAT. Be sure to select the correct REG.DAT file if you have both Windows and CheckFree. CheckFree is manufactured by CheckFree Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

README.DOC
Page 3 of the Word for Windows README.DOC file contains information about problems you can experience if another application uses the OLE servers and modifies the REG.DAT file.