Errors in Windows XP applications that start by using the ShellExecute() function (837633)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

SYMPTOMS

The Path value of the App Paths registry key is added to the end of the PATH environment variable in applications that are started by using the ShellExecute() function. The correct configuration is for the Path value to be added to the beginning of the environment variable for these types of applications. The incorrect configuration causes applications to locate .dll files differently on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer than on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows 2000 or earlier versions of Windows.

RESOLUTION

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name        Platform
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
   02-Apr-2004  03:15  6.0.2800.1502   8,348,672  Shell32.dll      x86
   01-Apr-2004  23:10  5.1.2600.1363     676,864  Sxs.dll          x86
   10-Mar-2004  17:59  5.1.2600.1363     593,408  Xpsp2res.dll     x86
   01-Apr-2004  23:10  6.0.2800.1361     921,600  Comctl32.dll     x86
   01-Apr-2004  23:10                      1,812  Controls.man     x86
   01-Apr-2004  23:10                        621  Comctl.man       x86

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, you can create a Microsoft VBScript wrapper application that reformats the PATH environment variable before the variable is transferred to the application that you start by using the ShellExecute() function.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows XP supports "per application" paths. You can set your application's path in the App Paths key in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry subtree. Create a new key, and then use your application's executable file name as the key name. Set this key's default value to the path of your executable file. Windows XP uses this entry to locate your application if Windows XP does not find the application in the current path. For example, Windows XP uses this entry if a user clicks Run on the Start menu and includes only the file name of the application, or if a shortcut icon does not include a path setting.

To identify the location of .dll files that are placed in a separate folder, you can also include another registry value entry that is named Path and set its value to the path of your .dll files. For example, configure the App Paths registry key as follows, where the Value data entry path is the path of your .dll files:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Application executable file name
Value Name: Path
Value data: path
Type: REG_SZ

Windows XP adds the path value, if it exists, to the PATH environment variable, if you use the ShellExecute() function to start your program.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/28/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbWinXPsp2fix kbenv kbQFE kbWinXPpreSP2fix kbfix kbbug KB837633 kbAudITPRO kbAudDeveloper
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