The memory usage of the Svchost.exe process keeps increasing when other users remotely collect performance data about the Windows Server 2003-based computer

On a Windows Server 2003-based computer, the memory usage of the Svchost.exe process keeps increasing. Additional investigation indicates that the remote registry service (RemoteRegistry) is running in the Svchost.exe process.

After this issue occurs for some time, all the memory is exhausted. Therefore, other applications or services that are running encounter function failures or exceptions.

This issue occurs after other users remotely collect performance data about the Windows Server 2003-based computer.

Note You can use Task Manager to determine the process that encounters memory leaks. Additionally, you can use the tasklist -svc command to determine whether the remote registry service is running in the Svchost.exe process.

This issue occurs because the remote registry service cannot free an allocated memory structure when users query performance counter values remotely.

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.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, the computer must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released 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 2003 SP1, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 SP2, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 SP1, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 SP2, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows XP SP2, x64-based versions

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

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: