On computers that are running Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista SP1, RSAT GPMC has long delays in domain environments that have many GPOs

In the Active Directory domain network environment, you deploy many Group Policy objects (GPOs). When a user uses the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) on a Windows Vista SP1-based client computer or on a Windows Server 2008-based computer to select a GPO in the domain, a long delay occurs.

Notes

• This delay does not occur on the GPMC tool on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, or Windows XP.
• In Windows Vista, the GPMC tool is a component of the Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) package.

This problem occurs because the GPMC in the RSAT package in Windows Vista SP1 introduces Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC) checks. These checks are performed for each GPO in the environment to confirm whether the domain controller to which the system is connecting is an RODC. This behavior causes an LDAP query to the domain controller to check the features of the source DC role. For example, in a network that contains 1000 GPOs, this check will be performed 1000 times.

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 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.Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the �Hotfix Request� page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix on Windows Vista-based computers, you must have Windows Vista SP1 installed. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: No prerequisites are required for Windows Server 2008-based computers.

Restart requirement

You do not have to 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 and Windows Server 2008 file information notes

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and MUM files (.mum) installed for each environment are listed separately. 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 (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported 32-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

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

For more information about GPMC, visit the following Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/gpmc/default.mspx For more information, click the following article numberabout Remote Server Administration Tools to view the articleabout Remote Server Administration Tools in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: