>>> Just how are we supposed to tell what version of these .DLL's we TRULY need, then?
>>
>>Check out http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp?vartarget=msdn
>
>Thanks, Nancy. This is a great site for determining the versions. But it still doesn't tell me why if 4.71 or better is needed for SHELL32.DLL why scripting works for me when I have 4.00.951 ?

Fred, I can only go by what MS documents - if you need to follow this up, you can explore the exact automation provider referenced by Shell.Application on your machine by examining the InProcServer32 entry for the automation object - in my case, it's the CLSID {13709620-C279-11CE-A49E-444553540000}, whose InProcServer32 entry is "C:\WINNT\System32\SHDOC401.DLL". AFAIK, the only way that this DLL can be safely updated to this version is by installation of SHELL32.DLL, but perhaps they're completely disjoint (I don't believe this to be the case, though.)

MS states that Shell 4.71 is needed, and I'm not smarter than their docs.

In your case, you've somewhat misspeculated on the origins of your Win95 - the version you reference is not an OEM version, but is Win95 retail updated to SP1, with subsequent addition of an IE version to the system. I don'tr know why your system behaves differently - you might try MS support.