"Windows XP" missing Registry key

Hi all,

In trying to find out why I am missing some System Tray Icons, I came across various forum posts about tweaking some registry keys in this location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\

... but I don't have the \Windows component of that location and don't know what's causing it or what else it might be affecting. Can anyone advise what I'm likely up against here and what I need to do to fix this?

Thanks!

Jeff

 

Hi Steve,

Thanks for posting. What started me down this latest trail is a sometimes missing System Tray icon for SysInternal.com's "Process Explorer ". In reading other posts about other missing icon's, the sometimes successful suggestion is to tweak some Registry settings at:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify

However, I don't even have the \Windows (or obviously, any "child" locations below it). I also have some other strange things going on from time-to-time ... no show-stoppers but I notice that Programs that I've previously had in my C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or the Startup folder for my own Profile don't get loaded. I just now ran msconfig and noticed on the General Setting that the "Selective Startup" option was selected ... this is NOT anything that I have done. I am going to try re-booting with "Normal" Startup selected and see if that changes anything ... I'll post back then.

Jeff

 

Ok, guess I've solved my most pressing issues ... booting with "Normal" Startup restored the missing Process Explorer icon ... and I copied shortcuts for a couple of programs back to the Startup folders ... and they now start appropriately at boot. I still don't know:

1) why the shortcuts disappeared ...
2) why the "Selective Startup" option was selected ...
3) why Microsoft Defender doesn't automatically present the option to install updated definitions the way it used to with a "balloon" message from the system tray (now I have to notice a little orange "!" in the Tray icon)

In recent months, have run an outdated copy of Registry Mechanic (vs. 6.0.0.780 likely from 2003 or so) as well as a free scan by CCleaner to deal with other issues ... not sure if my problems started after that or not ...

Thanks for any insights.

Jeff

 

Also, I STILL am missing the:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows

... folder and anything that should be below it ...

Jeff

 

Hi Christer,

Thanks for your post (like your proverb, too ;--)

Looks like your answer solves the Registry mystery ... I had gotten off base by referring to another forum post at:

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistaappearance/thread/265a3012-8450-4911-9e8e-40373b13bf45

... which referred to a similar (but NOT identical) issue. My bad for thinking this Registry setting would have controlled my Icons, too.

Any idea about the 1st 3 issues in my next to last post?

Thanks again,

Jeff

 

Ok, thanks, Christer.

You've been a big help, nonetheless.

Jeff

 

Hi Jeff, I have seen many recommendations over the last 2-3 years in this Forum about the use of Registry Cleaners. Most astute Techo's will advise against cleaning the Registry. The consensus would be NOT to use and that the possibility of something getting upset in the process is the most likely outcome. I would suspect that either the Registry clean or possibly an MS Update may be the culprit. I would run Scandisk and sfc /scannow to make sure all Files and Systems are as they should be, then see if things get back to normal. Neil.