OFFXP: "The Application Failed to Initialize" Error Is Briefly Displayed Before Windows Restarts

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This article was previously published under Q290137

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SYMPTOMS

When you start one of the Microsoft Office XP programs for the first time, Windows Installer may start, and you are prompted to restart your computer. When you click Yes, an error message similar to the following is briefly displayed:

The application failed to initialize because the window station is shutting down.

NOTE: You are not prompted to dismiss the error message. It quickly disappears just before Microsoft Windows restarts.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs when all of the following conditions are true:

Your computer is running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. -and-
The Windows Desktop Update is installed, along with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 and SP-1 (or later) for Internet Explorer 4.01. -and-
A member of the Administrators group advertised Office XP by running Setup with the /j switch. -and-
You click one of the Office XP shortcuts on the Programs menu for the first time.

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