An application that calls the ReadConsoleOutputCharacter function closes unexpectedly or data becomes corrupted when the application runs in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2

You develop an application that copies double-byte character set (DBCS) strings from a console window by calling the ReadConsoleOutputCharacter function. You try to run the application in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2. However, the application closes unexpectedly or the DBCS strings in the application become corrupted.

Additionally, you see the following event in the Application log. The log information shows that an access violation (0xC0000005) occurred in the Conhost.exe process.

Log Name: Application
Source: Application Error
Event ID: 1000
Level: Error
Description: Faulting application name: conhost.exe, version: <version>, time stamp: <time stamp> Faulting module name: conhost.exe, version: <version>, time stamp: <version> Exception code: 0xc0000005

Note This issue does not occur in down-level operating systems such as Windows XP or Windows Vista.

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, you must be running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Registry information

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

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English (United States) version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes

Important Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both of these operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under �Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2� on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

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

For more information about the ReadConsoleOutputCharacter function, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site:For more information about consoles, visit the following MSDN Web site: For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: