Microsoft KB Archive/931715

Knowledge Base

You cannot modify user environment variables in the System Properties dialog box if you log on by using a standard user account in Windows Vista

Article ID: 931715

Article Last Modified on 4/24/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition

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SYMPTOMS

If you log on by using a standard user account in Windows Vista, you cannot modify user environment variables in the System Properties dialog box.

For example, if you try to access the System Properties dialog box by clicking Advanced system settings in the System item in Control Panel, you are prompted for administrator account credentials. If you type the credentials for an administrator account, the user environment variables that you can access are for that administrator account only.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because of increased security in Windows Vista. The method that you must use to modify user environment variables in Windows Vista differs from earlier versions of Microsoft Windows.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, modify the user environment variables by using the User Accounts item in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type Accounts in the Start search box, and then click User Accounts under Programs.
   

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.

1. In the User Accounts dialog box, click Change my environment variables under Tasks.
2. Make the changes that you want to the user environment variables for your user account, and then click OK.

Keywords: kbexpertisebeginner kbtshoot kbprb KB931715

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