Microsoft cumulative updates may not be installed correctly if you change the location of the Program Files folder (917513)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

INTRODUCTION

If you change the location of the default Program Files folder by modifying the ProgramFilesDir registry value, Microsoft cumulative updates are not installed correctly.

MORE INFORMATION

The ProgramFilesDir registry value is located in the following registry subkey:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

When you set the ProgramFilesDir registry value to use a location other than the default location, Microsoft cumulative updates do not update files that are in the default location.

This problem affects MS xx-xxx cumulative updates. Specifically, this problem affects the MS06-006 update that is described on the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS06-006.mspx

WORKAROUND

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To work around this problem, change the default location of the Program Files folder back to the original location before you install the update. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

  3. In the right pane, right-click the ProgramFilesDir registry value, and then click Modify.
  4. In the Value data box, type the location that you want to use, and then click OK.

    Note Typically, the default value is C:\Program Files.
  5. Exit Registry Editor.
After you install the update, you can follow these steps to return the default Program Files folder to its previous location.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/24/2006
Keywords:kbinfo kbprb KB917513
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