You cannot create a new network connection in Windows XP, even if you are using a user account that is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group

In Microsoft Windows XP, you try to create a new network connection in the Network Connections item in Control Panel. However, the Create a new connection option does not appear in the Network Tasks list. Therefore, you cannot create the new network connection. This behavior occurs even if you are using a user account that is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group.

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:

• The computer has not joined an Active Directory directory service domain.
• The user account that you use to log on is not a member of the Administrators group.

This problem occurs because of behavior that occurs on a computer that has not joined a domain. The system does not check whether the user account is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group before the system creates a new connection. Therefore, users who are not members of the Administrators group cannot create new network connections.

After you apply this hotfix, Windows XP checks whether a user is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group. Then, Windows XP determines whether the user can create a new network connection.

Hotfix information

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: 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.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed on the computer. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) 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 item in Control Panel.

Windows XP, x86-based versions

To work around this problem, follow these steps:

1. Create a connection by using administrator credentials.
2. The administrator should manually give the file creation rights to a user account that is a member of the Network Configuration Operators local group for the following directory:
   <drive>:\\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Connections

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about the Network Configuration Operators group, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: