What does the "Install" button do?

[Dave Smith]

When I open the Add-In Manager window from Tools\Options\Other\Advanced, it
has a button labeled "Install." Clicking on it presents a file open window
on the ADDINS folder of my Office installation folders, showing the .ecf
files available.

OK, I write the code. Someone else writes the installation script. I have
one environment where the user has to come to this window and use this
"Install" button to manually install the ecf file for my add-in. In all
other environments, my add-in is automatically installed by the installation
kit that installs the containing product.

I have checked, and all of the appropriate entries are being added to the
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Client\Extension key.

I have been asked to find out why. But I don't know exactly what it means to
"Install" the ecf file. Can someone enlighten me?

Thank you.

Dave Smith

 

[Dave Smith]

OK, allow me to ask the question more succinctly and directly.

What does it mean to install an ecf file? How can this be done from an
installation program during product install?

Dave Smith

 

[Dave Smith]

My install program drops a correctly formatted ECF file into the ADDINS
folder under the Office installation path. It also records this exchange
client extension correctly in the Exchange\Client\Extensions key under
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft in the system registry. Yet, my extension is not
loaded when Outlook starts. I know this because the menu and toolbar options
that it adds are missing. I also know this because I do not see this
extension when I look in Tools | Options | Other | Advanced Options | Add-In
Manager.

However, if I use the "Install" button on the Add-In Manager window and
select my ECf file, it loads and reloads automatically the next time (and
every other time) that I start Outlook.

I am confident that my ECF file and my registry entry are both correct
because they work in most environments. The only place where I am seeing
this problem is when the install is run on Japanese Windows against a
Japanese Office installation.

That is everything I have been able to find out about this problem.

Any suggestions?

Dave Smith

 

[Dave Smith]

Well, I was mis-informed. I just tested this myself and find that my
extension must be manually loaded each time Outlook is started. Other than
that, what I said before appears to be accurate.

Dave