AutoShapes that were added to an HTML or an MHTML file in a Microsoft Office program do not appear when you open the file in Internet Explorer after you install Windows XP SP2 (883969)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Microsoft Word 2002
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003
  • Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003
  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
  • Microsoft Office Publisher 2003
  • Microsoft Office Word 2003
  • Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Student and Teachers Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Basic Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Office Access 2003
Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system.

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

SYMPTOMS

When you open an HTML or an MHTML file that was saved to your local computer in Microsoft Internet Explorer after you install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), AutoShapes that were added to the file in a Microsoft Office program do not appear.

Notes
  • If you open the same file that was saved to your local computer in an Office program, the AutoShape appears correctly.
  • If you open the file from a network location in Internet Explorer or in an Office program, the AutoShape appears correctly.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because of an enhanced security feature that is included in Windows XP SP2. This enhanced security feature helps protect your computer from attacks by malicious users or by malicious software, such as computer viruses. By default, this feature is turned on in the registry.

WORKAROUND

Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

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 issue, change the value of the FEATURE_LOCALMACHINE_LOCKDOWN subkey in the registry to 0.

Note By default, the value of the FEATURE_LOCALMACHINE_LOCKDOWN subkey is set to 1 in Windows XP SP2.

To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Quit your Office programs.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_LOCALMACHINE_LOCKDOWN

  4. In the FEATURE_LOCALMACHINE_LOCKDOWN subkey, follow these steps:
    1. Click Iexplore.exe.
    2. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
    3. In the Value data text box, type 0, and then click OK.
    4. Click Explorer.exe.
    5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
    6. In the Value data text box, type 0, and then click OK.
  5. To quit Registry Editor, click Exit on the File menu.
  6. Restart Windows XP SP2.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this issue, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

878461 Pictures do not appear as expected, or you receive an error message when you open an HTML file on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:2/10/2006
Keywords:kbgraphic kbtshoot kbprb KB883969 kbAudEndUser
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