IT Support Notes

This is just a short FYI.  On April 21, 2008 Microsoft released SP3 for it’s Windows XP operating system.  It released the service pack to computer manufactures who will include it computer now in production.

Next Microsoft’s will release XP SP3 to TechNet participants.  Members of TechNet will be able to access the service pack on April 29 via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center.  April 29 is also the date which Microsoft plans to release online documentation for SP3.

Those of us who use Windows XP at home (Home Users) can expect to be able to install  SP3 sometime this summer.   At that time Home Users should have the ability to install XP SP3 throught the operating systems automatic update feature.   According to Microsoft there is a soft release date of June 10 for home users.

Windows XP SP3 is expected to be a somewhat light upgrade. Features are said to  include a network access protection update, to support features in the Windows Server 2008 platform, plus an improved packet packet monitoring.  If you would like more information Microsoft has made available a white paper (PDF) on the topic.

Service Pack 3 for Windows XP will be the last service pack for the XP operating system.  The next operating from Microsoft may be available as soon as 2009.  Windows 7 which will be a replacement for Windows Vista is supposed to be more scalable meaning there might be a version for mobile devices, automobiles, and traditional personal computers.

From time to time you may receive an error when trying to attach a file or when trying to open an attachment from Microsoft Outlook.  The error tells you that can’t create a file a file and your permission has been denied.  Well this is not really an issue with security or permissions.  The problem really is that the secure temporary folder used when attaching files or opening attachments is full.  So what can you do.

To fix this MS Outlook error you’ll need to empty the secure temporary folder used by Outlook when handling attachments.  The folder’s location is stored in the registry.  The exact registry key depends on your version of MS Outlook.   Below are the registry keys where the name of the temporty folder can be found. 

Outlook 97
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Outlook\Security

Outlook 98
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.5\Outlook\Security

Outlook 2000
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook\Security

Outlook 2002/XP
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Security

Outlook 2003
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Security

Outlook 2007
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Security 

To find the location of the Outlook secure temporary fold you will run regedit.  Follow the step below to find empty your Outlook temporary folder. 

Warning:  You are about to you browse your registry.  Please use caution, failure to do so may result in a computer malfunction.

Locating  the Outlook Secure Temporary Folder in you registry.

1. Click Start > Then Run
2. Next type ’regedit’ and click OK
3. Next browse to the path that above that matches your version of Outlook.
4. Double click on the entry as illustrated below.
5. Highlight and Copy the path to the secure folder
6. Important Click Cancel to avoid accidentally changing your path settings

Highlight and copy the path from the Value Data Field, then click cancel.

Once you have copied the path, close your registry editor.  Then go to my computer and double click My Computer.  Now paste the pah which you copied from the Value data field into the address are in the top of your My Computer Window.  Now you ’Enter’ key.

You could now see all the temporary attachment files.  From the drop down menu at the top click  Edit and select all.  Now hit your delete key on your keyboard.

Now close your My Computer window and you should be able to attach or save attachments with our any problems.