An application may crash when it uses legacy methods to query performance counter values in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2008

Consider the following scenario:

• On a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, an application uses legacy methods to query performance counter values. For example, the application uses the RegQueryValueEx function to perform a global query for performance counter data.
• Counter data is returned from more than 64 counter sets that are registered by performance counter version 2.0 APIs. For example, the application performs a global query on a system on which more than 64 of these counter sets are registered.

In this scenario, the application may crash.

This problem occurs because of incorrect memory management behavior in the performance counter version 2.0 interface.

Update information

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

Download the Update for Windows Vista (KB953290) package now.

Download the Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB953290) package now.

Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB953290) package now.

Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB953290) package now.

Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB953290) package now.

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.

Hotfix information

Windows Vista hotfix information

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the 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 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 Vista, x86-based versions
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, x86-based versions
Windows Vista, x64-based versions
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, x64-based versions
Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2008 hotfix information

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the 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 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 2008, x86-based versions
Windows Server 2008, Itanium-based versions
Windows Server 2008, x64-based versions

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

Performance counter version 2.0 APIs provide a new architecture for collecting counter data in Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008. For more information about these performance counter APIs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about how an application can provide performance counter data by using the performance counter version 2.0 APIs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: