Shared Documents Folders Are Missing From My Computer

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This article was previously published under Q319825

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SYMPTOMS

When you view the "Files Stored on This Computer" heading in My Computer, shared documents folders for users may be missing.

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This problem may occur if a computer is prepared by using an OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) tool, such as Sysprep.exe. With this type of computer preparation, the component revision number for the Ee4uinit.exe and Shell32.dll files for the user is not reset, and the user's locale is empty. Because of this, Explorer does not start Ie4uinit.exe or Regsvr32.exe.

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RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date       Time   Version      Size     File name
   ----------------------------------------------------
   23-Apr-02  15:20  5.1.2600.43  532,480  Msobmain.dll
   23-Apr-02  15:19  5.1.2600.43  930,304  Syssetup.dll

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WORKAROUND

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

To work around this problem if the computer is already in this state, manually add the registry entries. To do so, use Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) to locate the following key in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DocFolderPaths

Add the following registry value, and then quit Registry Editor:

Value name: user name
Data type: REG_SZ
Value data: user profile\My Documents

Replace the user name and user profile environment variables with the literal values for each user who logs on to the computer.

NOTE: In each user's My Documents folder and subfolders, open the Desktop.ini files and modify the Owner value under the "DeleteOnCopy" section to match the user name.

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