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KB 944105: How to customize application pages in the Layouts folder in WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007

This recently published and just updated (today) KB article addresses a very frequently asked question about how to customize SharePoint's "Layouts pages" in a supported manner.

More Information

Modifying the files that are installed by SharePoint is not supported. However, there are some scenarios in which you may have to modify these files to achieve consistent branding or other customizations. When you modify these files, you must consider that they may be replaced by future updates and service packs. Additionally, there may be complications when you upgrade to later versions of the product. Keep backup copies of all customized files in case they are overwritten by an update. Microsoft product support will provide commercially reasonable support for help with modifications but will be unable to provide product changes or hotfixes that result from modifying the files that are installed by SharePoint.

KB Article

Go to the KB article at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/944105/en-us for the details.

 

<Lawrence />

Published Tuesday, October 30, 2007 11:04 PM by sptblog
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# MSDN Blog Postings &raquo; KB 944105: How to customize application pages in the Layouts folder in WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007

PingBack from http://msdnrss.thecoderblogs.com/2007/10/31/kb-944105-how-to-customize-application-pages-in-the-layouts-folder-in-wss-30-and-moss-2007/

Wednesday, October 31, 2007 2:57 AM by MSDN Blog Postings » KB 944105: How to customize application pages in the Layouts folder in WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007

# KB 944105: How to customize application pages in the Layouts ...

Interesting point at blogs.msdn.com

Wednesday, October 31, 2007 3:15 AM by Windows Vista News

# re: KB 944105: How to customize application pages in the Layouts folder in WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007

If it's a question of branding (i.e. replacing the master page for the administration pages) then an HTTP module seems to work pretty well. Essentially, you can use it to redirect calls for the adminstration.master page in _layouts to an appropriate master page of your choice.

The best description of this technique seems to be on Liam Cleary's blog:

http://www.helloitsliam.com/archive/2007/05/09/moss2007-quote-httpmodule-quote-investigation.aspx

I'd tried using the same master page as my sites - but it turns out there are slightly different required placeholders between normal and administration pages - though quite why this is necessary escapes me. I added the necessary placeholders, and was able to use the same master page for both user and administration pages.

More information here:

http://www.novolocus.com/display.php?id=452

http://www.novolocus.com/display.php?id=391

Thursday, November 01, 2007 5:27 AM by Andy Burns

# Customizing for a sub-site or list?

I'm struggling to find a good way to customize a page for a list.  I want my Wiki pages to show fields in a different order and formatting.  The only way I found to do it was to overwrite the .aspx file of every Wiki page entry with a batch job.

The linked KB article only works for replacing the default templates for the entire site.

Sunday, November 04, 2007 2:25 AM by Jason

# re: KB 944105: How to customize application pages in the Layouts folder in WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007

Jason - look into using the SharePoint Designer to create custom list forms, it'll be much easier and provide much more control

Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:49 PM by jason t

# Is the hotfix or service pack going to break my SharePoint pages or deployment?

I heard someone yesterday going off about how they were freaked out about whether the next hotfix or

Thursday, November 08, 2007 2:42 AM by Joel Oleson's Blog SharePoint Land

# Is the hotfix or service pack going to break my SharePoint pages or deployment?

I heard someone yesterday going off about how they were freaked out about whether the next hotfix or

Thursday, November 08, 2007 2:47 AM by Noticias externas

# re: KB 944105: How to customize application pages in the Layouts folder in WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007

A word of caution about using method 2 in that knowledge base article.  

Since everybody writes features that deploy to the _Layouts folder, they will not show up on a site where the layouts virtual directory is moved.  

You'll have to modify anything you ever deploy to that site so as to deploy to the new folder.  This could prove difficult if it's a third-party product packaged in an MSI.  

Regards,

Mike Sharp

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:48 PM by Mike Sharp

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