Microsoft KB Archive/925260

Knowledge Base

The "Turn off smart image dithering" policy setting does not function as expected in Windows Internet Explorer 7

Article ID: 925260

Article Last Modified on 10/27/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Windows Internet Explorer 7, when used with:
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-Bit Edition (Itanium)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

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SYMPTOMS

The Turn off smart image dithering policy setting for Windows Internet Explorer 7 does not function as expected. The Turn off smart image dithering policy setting specifies whether you want Internet Explorer 7 to smooth images so that they appear less jagged when they are displayed.

When you enable this policy setting, Internet Explorer 7 smoothes jagged images. When you disable this policy setting, Internet Explorer 7 does not smooth jagged images.

Additionally, in the Internet Options item in Control Panel, the Smart image dithering check box is selected and dimmed when the Turn off smart image dithering policy setting is enabled. The Smart image dithering check box is cleared and dimmed if the Turn off smart image dithering policy setting is disabled. (This policy setting is located under Multimedia on the Advanced tab.)

CAUSE

The Turn off smart image dithering policy setting behaves in the opposite manner of what is specified in the explanation text for the policy setting. Instead, the policy setting behaves as follows:

• If you enable this policy setting, Internet Explorer 7 smoothes or dithers images that are displayed on a Web page. The user cannot change this policy setting.
• If you disable this policy setting, Internet Explorer 7 does not smooth or dither images that are displayed on a Web page. The user cannot change this policy setting.
• If you do not configure this policy setting, the user can manually enable or disable this feature of Internet Explorer 7. To enable or disable this feature, follow these steps:
  1. Click Tools , and then click Internet Options.
  2. Click the Advanced tab.
  3. Click to select or to clear the Smart image dithering check box under Multimedia.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, follow these steps.

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

1. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
2. Under User Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Component, expand Internet Explorer, and then expand Advanced Settings.
3. Click Multimedia.
4. Right-click Turn off smart image dithering, and then click Properties.
5. To block the dithering of images, click Disable.
6. To let images be dithered, click Enable.
7. Click OK.
8. Close the Group Policy Object Editor, and then restart the computer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Additional query words: IE7 ie 7.0

Keywords: kbtshoot kbpolicy kbprb kbgraphic kbexpertiseinter KB925260

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