A new PowerPoint 2003 presentation that is based on a custom .pot design template may open in Word

Consider the following scenario. You create a new presentation that is based on a custom .pot design template that was applied to Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 by using a Group Policy object (GPO). When you open the new presentation that is based on a custom .pot design template, the presentation may open in Microsoft Word.

Note This issue may also cause the new presentation that is based on a custom .pot design template to open in Notepad or in Microsoft FrontPage.

To work around this issue, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Open, and then open the .pot design template.
2. On the File menu, click Save As.
3. In the Save As dialog box, follow these steps:
   1. In the Save in box, locate the following folder:
      C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Templates
   2. In the File name box, use the existing template name. However, change the file name extension of the template to .ppt.
   3. Click Presentation (*.ppt) in the Save as type box.
   4. Click Save to save the .pot design template file as a .ppt template file.
4. On the File menu, click Exit to quit PowerPoint 2003.
5. Open the GPO in the Custom Installation Wizard.
6. In the Change Office User Settings screen (10 of 24), follow these steps:
   1. Click Microsoft PowerPoint 2003.
   2. In the right pane, double-click New Presentation Links.
   3. Double-click Custom Link #1 or an available custom link, and then follow these steps:
      1. Click Apply Changes.
      2. In the Display Name box, type the name of the template file, such as filename. pot.
      3. In the Full path including filename (required) box, type the full path and file name of the template file. For example, type C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Templates\filename.ppt.
   4. In the Section of workpane to display link box, click New.
   5. In the Action box, click Create new file.
   6. Click OK to close the Custom Link Properties dialog box.
7. Click Next or Finish, and then complete the Custom Installation Wizard.
8. Start PowerPoint 2003.
9. On the File menu, click New, and then select the new template that you saved in step 3.

For more information about how to use a policy to managing a user's configuration, visit the following Microsoft Web site: