Cannot Set Program Access and Defaults

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
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G

Guest

This is a copy of a thread I started on the Windows Live One Care forum, then
moved to the newsgroup Steve recommended and have now moved here after
reading another thread there that pointed here.

I was a early user of the Giant Anti-Spyware after MS acquired the company.
One of the options in the original beta ver allowed users to block changes to
the "Set Program Access and Defaults". After upgrading to Windows Defender
this option, along with others, was removed, and I have not been able to make
changes to "Set Program Access and Defaults". I need to know the registry
location for this setting and the correct value to enter, if it is not just a
1 or 0.

Steve responded with:
If you aren't using Windows Live OneCare you're off topic for this forum.
You can try the Defender newsgroups here:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/newsgroups/default.mspx


-steve

I then responded with this:
I am using Windows Live One Care, have all software and OS updated. This all
happened after changing to WLOC and Defender. The install or upgrade that
replaced the beta appears to have left this setting locked. I am running a
purchased full ver of XP Home edition. I will try your suggestion if you
cannot handle this problem. Thanks

P.S. I have searched, off and on , for a solution to this problem, but
nothing on the web or at MS even comes close to addressing this issue. I find
it hard to believe I am the only one who has encountered this problem. Others
must have made the same selection and then upgraded without first unchecking
that option.

So, here I am. I am now waiting for another reply from Steve and a reply
from anyone at the other newsgroup and now hoping someone here may have a
solution.

Has anyone experienced this problem and found a solution?
 
Now that I've thought about it a little more, do you have the value
"NoSMConfigurePrograms" in

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer ?

Let me know,
Dean
 
Thanks for taking the time to respond, no I do not have that value. I also
started this thread in another newsgroup and PA Bear is causing me to
momentarily mistrust my memory, though the jury is still out. I know however
this started the key to the solution is proably in the registry.
 
I should have had you also check the key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

for the value "NoSMConfigurePrograms".

Otherwise, what are the symptoms? Is "Set Program Access and Defaults"
visable in the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel, on the left
pane of the window, as well as having an icon located on the Start Menu? I
believe changes to Set Program Access and Defaults can only be made by a
computer administrator. What happens when you try to make changes?
Is there a particular program that you are trying to make default?

Dean
 
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