Retrieving dictionary build numbers outside of Dynamics GP - Revisited

Back in June of 2009 - I know, right! Time flies - I wrote an article, Retrieving dictionary build numbers outside of Dynamics GP, in which I described two methods to retrieving the build number of a particular Dexterity dictionary, none of which involved opening Dynamics GP to do so. The first method involved hovering over the dictionary itself, which would display a summary of the properties, including the build number; the second method involved right-clicking on the dictionary, then selecting Properties, then clicking on the Dictionary tab to obtain the Dictionary Version, Name, ID, associated forms and reports dictionary, compatibility ID, and compatibility message.

Sample Dictionary properties tab

Shortly after the publication of this article, I started seeing messages on the forums and discussion boards that the Dictionary tab was not available in certain environments, but I never really paid attention enough to find the reasons why.

Just recently I was checking the Microsoft Dynamics GP Community forum and stumbled upon someone who had ran into this problem in 2010, ensued by some answers asking to check a few registry entries. It wasn't until 2011 that forum user Nathan Hayden provided a complete answer to restore the Dictionary tab in the File Properties window, which I tested and found it to work like a charm.

So here's the solution:

1. Open the Windows Registry (regedit.exe).

2. Under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.DIC\OpenWithList,  remove all entries, leaving just (Default) and MRUList.


3. Under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.DIC\OpenWithProgids,  remove all entries, but (Default) and DIC_auto_file.


3. Finally, delete HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.DIC\User Option, if it exists

NOTE: In Windows 10, the key is UserChoice

Disclaimer: Edit the Registry at your own risk. Inappropriate changes to Windows Registry can disable the operating system! Backup your Windows Registry prior to making any changes.

Until next post!

MG.-
Mariano Gomez, MVP