[s.elizabella]

I recently got a new Vista computer at work and have discovered some really frustrating differences from XP in PowerPoint. The main one is any time I use the CTRL key to select multiple objects, they automatically create a copy of the shape directly underneath.

Also, when trying to distribute selected objects vertically or horizontally, it creates a whole bunch of duplicates as well.

I've looked through all the options, the help menu, index, and Googled this, but have not found anything at all that explains this odd and somewhat random behavior.

[yzman]

by shape directly underneath you mean the background template?

are you selecting multiple objects on one slide or you mean multiple slides?

[s.elizabella]

I mean it creates a copy, not in the background template, but directly underneath the original shape. Like if I deleted the top shape, an identical shape lies "underneath" it.

Multiple objects on one slide, not multiple slides.

[JohnWilson]

See if this helps at all.

Locate the PowerPnt.exe file (It will be in Program Files > Microsoft Office

Right Click > Properties
Compatability > Tick disable Desktop composition

[s.elizabella]

Wow, it worked! What exactly is that feature?

[JohnWilson]

I'm guessing you have Home Premium or Business Vista.

PowerPoint 2003 (which was released long before Vista of course) can't handle some of the fancy display features in these versions and when you control click it moves the shape slightly. PowerPoint can see this as ctrl > drag which means "duplicate me".

You may get some minor issues basically a message when the display settings change and lose some of the display features, nothing serious.