Update is available that fixes various Volume Shadow Copy Service issues in Windows Server 2003

This article describes an update that is available for the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) feature. The update is dated July 19, 2005.

This update fixes the following issues:

• On a Windows Server 2003-based computer that has many shadow copies that are being used, the paged pool memory on the computer may become exhausted. This problem may occur when the shadow copy snapshots are of large volumes and when each volume contains many files. After you install the update, Microsoft Windows dismounts unused shadow copies when paged pool memory is low.
  
  Note Windows remounts the dismounted shadow copies when a client accesses the shadow copy.
  
  Additionally, an associated fix is included for the Shadow Copies for a Shared Folders client. This server-side fix helps make the client more efficient because the client will not unnecessarily mount shadow copies.
  
  Note To achieve this functionality, you must also install a client-side fix. The client-side fix is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
  903234 An update is available to optimize the way that the Shadow Copy Client accesses shadow copies in Windows Server 2003 and in Windows XP
• In some scenarios, VSS does not maintain the shadow copy device name across the BreakSnapshotSet() API.
• Sometimes, when you delete multiple hardware shadow copy sets at the same time, an error occurs in the DeleteSnapshotSet() API, and the delete operation fails.
• The update removes a stock keeping unit (SKU) block that let you create and import transportable shadow copies only on Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition and on versions of Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition. After you install the update, you can create and import transportable shadow copies on all Windows Server 2003 operating systems.

For more information about the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Download information

A supported update is now available from Microsoft.

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download the 32-bit version of the Windows Server 2003 update package now.

Download the Itanium-based version of the Windows Server 2003 update package now.

Download the x64-based version of the Windows Server 2003 update package now.

Release Date: July 19, 2005

For more information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

Update information

A supported update is now available from Microsoft, but the update is only intended to correct the issues that are described in this article. Only apply the update to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This update may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this update.

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

To install this update, you must be running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1). For more information about how to obtain Windows Server 2003 SP1, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this update.

Update replacement information

This update does not replace any other updates.

File information

The English version of this update has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, 32-bit versions

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Technical support for x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows

Your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for x64-based versions of Windows. Your hardware manufacturer provides support because an x64-based version of Windows was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the installation of Windows with unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you need technical help with your x64-based version of Windows. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware.

For product information about Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For product information about x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: