Terminal Services .ini files do not synchronize as you expect in Windows Server 2003

In Microsoft Windows Server 2003, .ini files for Terminal Services may not synchronize as you expect. This problem causes the GetWindowsDirectory function to return the system directory instead of the user's system directory.

This problem occurs because Windows Server 2003 does not correctly propagate the global .ini file for the program that you want to use with Terminal Services to the .ini file that is located in the user's profile. For example, when you add an .ini file entry for the program that you want to use with Terminal Services to the following registry subkey, and you set the value of the entry to 0x00000004, the global .ini file is not propagated to the user's .ini file:

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 this specific problem. 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 Web site: 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.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) 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 tool in Control Panel.

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

For additional information about terminal server registry settings for applications, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For additional information about the terminology that is used in this article, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: