PPT7: PowerPoint Missing Features Under Windows NT (139150)

SYMPTOMS

If you run Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95 on a multi-user Windows NT computer, you may not be able to use the following features:

The graphic import filters
The text converters
The AutoCorrect feature
The spelling checker

This problem is related to access permissions to the Windows NT registry.

NOTE: If the problem only occurs in Clipart Gallery, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

26885 PT95: Clipart Gallery 2.0a Update for Windows NT Users

CAUSE

Under a Typical installation of Windows NT workstation, users have limited rights to the Windows NT registry. Only administrators and owners (those who install particular programs) have full access to the registry.

This problem occurs with PowerPoint 7.0 because Powerpnt.exe in version 7.0 sends a request to the Windows NT registry for full access (note that PowerPoint 7.0b does not make this request). Users rights are restricted on multi-user workstations and the request for full access is denied. If you are logged on as a user with limited rights, this request may be denied under PowerPoint 7.0. Because the request is denied, the features mentioned at the beginning of this article may not work as expected.

This problem occurs in PowerPoint 7.0 under the following circumstances:

The installation was performed by an administrator (who is then the owner)
A single user installs PowerPoint (and then becomes the owner) and other users attempt to use PowerPoint features.

RESOLUTION

To gain access to these features, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Update the PowerPoint installation to version 7.0b

Method 2: Make the User an Administrator

Add each user account that will be using PowerPoint to the Administrators group.

NOTE: This is not the best alternative as it gives potentially unskilled users the ability to alter user rights, change permissions, and delete essential operating system files.

Method 3: Grant Full Permission to Registry Keys

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

Edit the Windows NT Registry and grant selected users full permission to the necessary keys.

Log on as an administrator and run REGEDT32.EXE

Go to each location below:

      \\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools
         \AutoCorrect
         \Graphics Filters
         \Proofing Tools
         \Text Converters

Click Security. Click Permissions.
Click Add , click Show Users, and add the appropriate users.
Assign each user Full Permission to the keys involved.
Click OK and indicate that you are changing permission on the subkeys.
Click OK again and confirm that you want to replace Permissions (this will not necessarily fix the problem with PowerPoint Help.)

NOTE: As an alternative, you may create a new group with full access to these keys and add each user to the new group. If you later install PowerPoint 7.0b, you can delete this group or remove the users from it (the group is no longer necessary).

Method 4: If the Problem Occurs on a Non-Multi-User Workstation

If you are experiencing this problem on a Windows NT Workstation that is not a multi-user workstation, the problem stems from having installed PowerPoint as an Administrator and attempting to use its features as a user with lesser rights. In this case, run PowerPoint Setup and log in as the user rather than as the administrator. This will ensure that the user is registered to use all the features. This will have minimal or no effect on system-level administrative issues.