The "Modified time" file attribute of a registry hive file is updated when you load and then unload the registry hive files without making any changes to the files on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista

Consider the following scenario:

• You have an application on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista.
• The application calls the RegLoadKey function to load a registry hive file.
• This application calls the RegUnLoadKey function to unload the registry hive file without making any changes.

In this scenario, the Accessed time file attribute and the Modified time file attribute of the file are updated. However, the expected behavior is that only the Accessed time file attribute is updated.

This scenario may cause an issue in the following environment:

• You configure the Delete user profiles older than a specified number of days on system restart Group Policy to remove the user profiles that are not accessed for some time.
  
  Note To find the Delete user profiles older than a specified number of days on system restart Group Policy, do the following. Under Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand System, and then click User Profiles.
• You set up some antivirus applications or some anti-malware applications to run on the servers. These applications regularly scan user profiles for security.

In this environment, every time that the antivirus applications or the anti-malware applications scan the user profile registry hive files, the files are updated. Therefore, the configured Delete user profiles older than a specified number of days on system restart Group Policy becomes ineffective.

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, your computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)
• Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Registry information

You do not have to make any change to the registry.

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.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista SP1 and of Windows Server 2008

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista SP2 and of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista SP1

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

For more information about the RegLoadKey function, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about the RegUnLoadKey function, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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