Disabled Programs Are Displayed in the Software Installation Section of Group Policy Object (274269)

SYMPTOMS

When you open a Group Policy object (GPO) and examine its Software Installation values, some entries that are displayed in the result pane may be disabled (a red-colored icon is displayed).

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Software Installation Group Policy snap-in extensions do not work correctly when an administrator manages any of the software (such as assign, publish, configure or upgrade a package). The entry is disabled.

When the administrator begins a management activity, an entry is made in Active Directory. If a problem occurs before the administrator completes the management activity, this entry still exists, even though it has no effect upon software management.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, you must delete the disabled program, and then repeat the management activity (such as assign or publish it).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

If Microsoft Management Console (MMC) has a problem when you are performing program deployments (distributions), the next time MMC is opened, the application panel may list disabled programs. This behavior occurs because your program deployments involve a transactional process.

First, an Active Directory object is created. Then, when the deployment is finished, all the modifications (such as upgrade lists or transforms) are committed at the same time. If a problem occurs in the middle of this operation, the object is left in a harmless state, but it is shown as disabled. Administrators are able to delete it.