Works 3.0: Does Not Open in Windows 95 (141166)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0b
This article was previously published under Q141166

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Windows 95, after you click the shortcut to start Microsoft Works for Windows, your cursor briefly changes to the busy indicator, then back to its normal state without starting Works. If you attempt to start Works by double-clicking the Msworks.exe file in Windows Explorer, you receive the same results.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the file Olethk32.dll is damaged or missing from the Windows\System directory.

RESOLUTION

The file should have the following attributes: 
File Name             Size        Date
---------             ----        ----

Olethk32.dll         79,424      07-11-1995
For more information about finding and comparing files in Windows, see your Windows printed documentation or online help.

If the Olethk32.dll file is missing or the wrong size, perform one of the following steps:
  1. Reinstall Windows 95 to replace the missing Olethk32.dll file and any other missing system files. -or-

  2. Manually install the missing Olethk32.dll file by extracting it from the Windows 95 disks or compact disc.
To extract Olethk32.dll from the Windows 95 disks or compact disc, do the following:
  1. Insert the Windows 95 disc into the CD-ROM drive or, if you installed Windows 95 from floppy disks, insert disk 10 in the disk drive.
  2. On the Start menu, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.
  3. Change to the System directory by typing the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and pressing ENTER:

    cd system

  4. Windows on Compact Disc:

    If you installed Windows 95 from compact disc, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and press ENTER:

    extract <drive>:\win95\win95_09.cab Olethk32.dll

    Where <drive> is the CD-ROM drive letter. For example, if your CD-ROM drive is drive D, type the following and press ENTER:

    extract D:\win95\win95_09.cab Olethk32.dll

    Windows on Floppy Disk:

    If you installed Windows 95 from floppy disks, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and press ENTER:

    extract <drive>:\win95_10.cab Olethk32.dll

    Where <drive> is the floppy drive letter. For example, if your floppy drive is drive A, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and press ENTER:

    extract A:\win95_10.cab olethk32.dll

  5. To return to Windows when you finish extracting the file, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and press ENTER:

    exit

The programs listed at the top of this article should now open successfully.

MORE INFORMATION

Olethk32.dll is installed by Windows 95. If it is missing or corrupted, reinstalling Works does not help, because the file is not installed by Works.

A common cause of missing dynamic link libraries (.dll) files is a third-party program designed to remove or uninstall Windows programs and their associated files. Sometimes these programs do not correctly identify which .dll files are no longer in use.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/25/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB141166
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.