Error message when you try to install an Access 2003 add-in for all users by using the Add-In Manager on a Windows Vista-based computer: "There was an error adding to the registry"

When you try to install a Microsoft Office Access 2003 add-in for all users on a Windows Vista-based computer that is running Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) by using the Add-In Manager, you receive the following error:

In Windows operating systems that are older than Windows Vista, administrators can install an Access 2003 add-in for all users by using the Add-In Manager to create a registry key in the Windows registry. This registry key is in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry path. However, this registry path is inaccessible to users in Windows Vista. Therefore, the installation of Access 2003 add-ins is prevented.

Install Office 2003 SP3

To work around this issue, install Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 3 (SP3). In Office 2003 SP3, the registry key is added to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry path when you use the Add-In Manager to install an add-in. Because this path is available only on an individual user basis, you cannot install an Access 2003 add-in for all users after you install Office 2003 SP3. Each user must install the add-in individually. The new registry key will be located in the following path:

Run Access 2003 with elevated permissions

To work around this issue, run Access 2003 SP2 with elevated permissions in Windows Vista, and then install the add-in. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
   , click All Programs, click Microsoft Office, and then right-click Microsoft Office Access 2003.
2. Click Run as administrator.
   
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
3. Use the Add-In manager to install the add-in for all users.

For more information about how to obtain the latest Office 2003 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: