"Unexpected Error occurred" when accessing Network Connection Properties

Following on the weird Windows XP network errors, such as the mysterious connecting to 1.0.0.0 site, I experienced another unexplained behaviour.

SYMPTOMS

"Unexpected error occurred." when trying to access Properties of a network connection in Windows XP

CAUSE

The corrupted Registry entries for the DLLs that manage network properties.

WORKAROUND

Re-register the DLLs into the Registry.

1. Open a new command prompt (CMD).
2. Type Regsvr32 %SystemRoot%System32netshell.dll
3. Press OK.
4. Type Regsvr32 %SystemRoot%System32ole32.dll
5. Press OK.
6. Reboot your machine