Microsoft KB Archive/886220

Knowledge Base

You receive a protected storage error message when you view a Web site on your Windows NT 4.0-based computer

Article ID: 886220

Article Last Modified on 10/30/2006

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APPLIES TO

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

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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 browse certain Web sites, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following error message:

Protected Storage uses your Windows password to protect your personal data.

Protected Storage has detected data created with a previous version. To continue to use this data, enter your Windows password below.

This symptom occurs when you use your Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based computer to browse Web sites.

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. Delete the Protected Storage System Provider registry subkey. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Log on to your computer as a local administrator.
   2. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK.
   3. In Registry Editor, locate and then click the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider\security identifier

   4. On the Security menu, click Permissions, and then click Add.
   5. Click Show Users, and then click Administrator in the Names list.
   6. Click Add, and then click Full Control in the Type of Access list.
      
      Note An administrator has Full Control access for the Protected Storage System Provider registry subkey and not the security identifier registry subkey. To delete the Protected Storage System Provider registry subkey, the administrator must have Full Control access for the security identifier registry subkey.
   7. Click OK, and then click to select the Replace Permission on Existing Subkeys check box.
   8. Click OK, and then click Yes.
   9. Click Protected Storage System Provider, and then click Delete on the Edit menu.
   10. Click Yes, and then quit Registry Editor.
2. Rebuild the Protected Storage System Provider registry subkey. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
   2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
   3. Click the Content tab, and then click AutoComplete.
   4. Click Clear Forms, and then click OK.
   5. Click Clear Passwords, and then click OK.

Keywords: kbtshoot KB886220

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