Microsoft KB Archive/252380

Knowledge Base

Run-Time Error Message When You Start WordPad

Article ID: 252380

Article Last Modified on 1/27/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

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This article was previously published under Q252380

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft WordPad, you may receive the following error message:

Microsoft Visual C++ Run Time Library:
Runtime Error! <drive>:\Program Files\Accessories\Wordpad.exe
Abnormal Program Termination.

If you start WordPad by using the Run command, you may receive the following error message:

Cannot find the file WordPad.exe or one of its components.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if the WordPad.exe file is damaged.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs, and then click the Windows Setup tab.
3. In the Components box, click Accessories, click Details, and then click to clear the WordPad check box.
4. Click OK, and then click OK.
5. Use Regedit to delete the following registry key:

   HKEY_Current_User/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Currentversion/Applets/WordPad

6. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs, and then click the Windows Setup tab.
7. In the Components box, click Accessories, click Details, and then click to select the WordPad check box.
8. Click OK, click OK, and then close Control Panel.

For additional information about how to use the Add/Remove Programs tool, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

142181 How to Install and Remove Programs in Windows

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB252380

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