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Office 97 HKCR\TypeLib permissions

Hi!

I recieved the wonderful task to repackage Microsoft Office 97 Standard to MSI. [:'(]
One issue that I stumbled upon is that even if I install Office 97 from original media, you can't open up the Visual Basic Editor (Alt+F11) as an user without administrative rights (you get a error message saying "Can't open macro archive"), the same thing happens when you try to open a Word document with macros inside.
The only solution that I have found is to set Full Control for users in the whole HKCR\TypeLib key and some specific HKRC\Interface keys, but I don't feel comfortable to deploy that package to 4000+ machines.

I've tried to monitor this with procmon, but as soon as I unlock a specific HKCR\TypeLib key, the next time I try to open VBA Editor another key get ACCESS DENIED.
I refuse to believe that Office 97 tries to write to randomly chosen HKCR\TypeLib keys...

Has anyone of you stumbled across similar problems?

What would the effect be if I choose to unlock the whole HKCR\TypeLib?

And, no, they won't upgrade to a later version of Microsoft Office...

Regards,

/Mathias
Asked 12 years ago 4257 views
0 Comments   [ + ] Show comments

Answers (5)

Posted by: jmaclaurin 12 years ago
Third Degree Blue Belt
0
2 questions:
  1. Why are you repackaging a no longer supported 14-15yr old app?
  2. What is your target OS?
Posted by: andemats 12 years ago
2nd Degree Black Belt
0
ORIGINAL: matby3
I refuse to believe that Office 97 tries to write to randomly chosen HKCR\TypeLib keys...

Well, it works fine installing and using it from original media, so must be something you missed in the snapshot I guess.


ORIGINAL: matby3
And, no, they won't upgrade to a later version of Microsoft Office...
There's your answer Jmaclaurin. [;)]
But I see your point.

Mathias, I would deffo try to convince them to upgrade. Inform them of the security reasons and help them welcome the new century. It's a brave new world[:D]
Posted by: matby3 12 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Hi and thanks for your replies!

Well, it works fine installing and using it from original media, so must be something you missed in the snapshot I guess.

Then there must be something strange with our original media, if I install Office 97 using the original media, it works alright as admin, but not as user.
I suppose Virtual Store perhaps "solves" this issue in Windows 7, but my target OS is Windows XP x86.

I have tried for weeks to convince them to upgrade, but noooo [;)]

We sent the original media to an external packaging company, but their solution was also to unlock the HKCR\TypeLib keys...

/Mathias
Posted by: andemats 12 years ago
2nd Degree Black Belt
0
Then there must be something strange with our original media, if I install Office 97 using the original media, it works alright as admin, but not as user.
I'm not that old in the game, that I've actually distributed Office 97, so I can't say for sure how it's supposed to work.

I suppose Virtual Store perhaps "solves" this issue in Windows 7, but my target OS is Windows XP x86.
If it's even possible to install on Win7. It would be like installing a tape deck in a brand new car... You wouldn't...

I have tried for weeks to convince them to upgrade, but noooo [;)]
Luckily I have the advantage to decline packages if I feel the need to. If for any reason the customer need a software that risks safety or otherwise isn't suitable for package distribution I tell the system owner to call for Admin rights and take the consequenses. However, I see how that isn't suitable for you and the 4000 clients though [;)]

We sent the original media to an external packaging company, but their solution was also to unlock the HKCR\TypeLib keys...
Not even sure I've worked with that ancient version of Office (without beeing administrator on my PC). Might be the way to go then. [:'(]
Posted by: anonymous_9363 12 years ago
Red Belt
0
Packaged properly, Office should NOT be writing to ANYTHING in HKCR. I suspect something was missed in the packaging process. Get your money back and go elsewhere.
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