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Application freezes when an NTFS volume contains a circular directory reference in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2


View products that this article applies to.

Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:
  • You have an NTFS volume on a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
  • The NTFS volume is affected by a circular reference issue that is caused by metadata corruption.
  • You use an application that opens an affected file by using the file ID, and then the application queries the FileNameInformation class by using the NtQueryInformationFile routine.
In this scenario, the application freezes. To recover from this issue, you have to restart the computer.

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Cause

This issue occurs because of a code defect in NTFS. The code defect causes an application to freeze when a circular reference exists in the folder structure.

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Resolution

While Microsoft is investigating the issues that are described in this article, hotfix 2782476 is no longer being offered.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft website: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Note This hotfix only resolves the issue that is described in this article. This hotfix does not resolve the circular reference issue. After you apply this hotfix, the application will no longer freeze when the path is queried. Instead, NTFS returns an "ERROR_FILE_CORRUPT" error message in this situation.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must be running one of the following operating systems:
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
For more information about how to obtain a Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
976932 Information about Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Registry information

To apply this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The global version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes
Important Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.
  • The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table: The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:
    VersionProductMilestoneService branch
    6.1.760 0.17xxxWindows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2RTMGDR
    6.1.760 0.21xxxWindows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2RTMLDR
    6.1.760 1.18xxxWindows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2SP1GDR
    6.1.760 1.22xxxWindows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2SP1LDR
  • GDR service branches contain only those fixes that are widely released to address widespread, extremely important issues. LDR service branches contain hotfixes in addition to widely released fixes.
  • The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.172281,210,71205-Feb-201305:00x86
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.214391,211,22405-Feb-201304:53x86
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.180721,211,73605-Feb-201305:02x86
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.222401,213,28802-Feb-201305:03x86
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.172281,653,08005-Feb-201305:35x64
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.214391,679,72005-Feb-201305:38x64
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.180721,655,65605-Feb-201306:01x64
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.222401,686,87202-Feb-201305:23x64
For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.172283,548,52005-Feb-201304:58IA-64
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.214393,552,60005-Feb-201304:59IA-64
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.180723,551,59205-Feb-201304:46IA-64
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.222403,557,72002-Feb-201304:26IA-64

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Status

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

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More information

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Known issues

Microsoft is investigating behavior where systems may not recover from a restart, or applications cannot load, after hotfix 2782476 is applied. We recommend that customers uninstall this update. As an added precaution, Microsoft has removed the download links to hotfix 2782476 while we investigate.

To uninstall hotfix 2782476, follow these steps:
  1. In Control Panel, click Programs, and then click View installed updates.
  2. Select Hotfix for Microsoft Windows (KB2782476), and then click Uninstall to uninstall the hotfix package.

Additional file information

Additional file information for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
File nameUpdate-bf.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,719
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,773
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_015bb8b9fcb9a426c77da60d70e25f26_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22240_none_76cb26dbc755f345.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size692
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_675ad09763831a0a95a1d4723f481f19_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.17228_none_515cc52ad7554ba8.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size692
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_8ce5cec07d5d369752593ea047dd987f_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18072_none_3832e383b8f28c08.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size692
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_f60529ac8fae0ee8101976d0a58d2a8f_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21439_none_afc137729d3e0d81.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size692
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.17228_none_a68b47987e0befdd.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,508
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)05:23
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21439_none_a70b16a79730c216.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,508
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)05:13
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18072_none_a83593467b604f74.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,508
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)05:29
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22240_none_a8dda127946765e4.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,508
Date (UTC)02-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)05:27
PlatformNot Applicable
Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
File nameAmd64_9f72b423f3897e3f201a0e3804c9b199_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22240_none_2163c54bd3b86621.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size696
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_a0b74bba54c09843b9a9719aadb045b6_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.17228_none_c0925af065a3be6d.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size696
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_a8a0b94bbf37e051a40c2c13a66b5ea0_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18072_none_49d2ed94a7b7f1ab.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size696
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_aee589dc568863e255adb142b42b7dd3_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21439_none_9b33837ea118a965.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size696
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.17228_none_02a9e31c36696113.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,514
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)06:22
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21439_none_0329b22b4f8e334c.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,514
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)06:15
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18072_none_04542eca33bdc0aa.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,514
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)06:29
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22240_none_04fc3cab4cc4d71a.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,514
Date (UTC)02-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)05:50
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate-bf.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size3,153
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size3,215
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
File nameIa64_13ef76898acdfb0ddf0622bbe5837af4_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21439_none_d18d27e7c47e2342.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size694
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_34109c8b959b333274245bdb68bb0927_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18072_none_3e7f5271d2c8bd26.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size694
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_5ae74e95bd8d08e8a285d53a501b6af3_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22240_none_655e7d86fa8aa761.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size694
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_f14ccddbe2c9ef86783c56a84a6d1412_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.17228_none_2802bc1ced6074e2.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size694
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.17228_none_a68ceb8e7e09f8d9.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,511
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)06:27
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21439_none_a70cba9d972ecb12.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,511
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)06:22
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18072_none_a837373c7b5e5870.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,511
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)06:21
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22240_none_a8df451d94656ee0.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,511
Date (UTC)02-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)05:20
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate-bf.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,909
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,947
Date (UTC)05-Feb-2013
Time (UTC)10:51
PlatformNot Applicable

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Keywords: kbqfe, kbfix, kbexpertiseadvanced, kbexpertisebeginner, kbsurveynew, KB2782476

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Article Info
Article ID : 2782476
Revision : 5
Created on : 4/23/2013
Published on : 4/23/2013
Exists online : False
Views : 328