BUG: PDW May Handle .REG Files Incorrectly

When installing an application using a setup program generated by the Package and Deployment Wizard (PDW), unwanted information may be added to the registry if a .Reg file is included in the distribution set.

When creating a distribution set with the Package and Deployment Wizard, there is an option to add files in addition to those files already in the Visual Basic project.

If a .REG file is added, a dialog is shown asking if the .REG file should be copied to the destination computer and if it should be used to update the registry. The dialog indicates that neither, one, or both of the options can be used.

If "No" is selected for both of these options, the PDW will default to "No" for Copy and "Yes" for "Update Registry." Then, when the setup program is run, the registry will be updated with the information in the .REG file.

If a .REG file is not to be copied to the target machine nor used to update the registry, do not include it in the distribution set or give the file an extension other than .REG.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this bug and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

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