Open Software Solutions

When users try to log on to Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista SP1 systems, the User Profile Service crashes. This problem occurs if the profile that the service tries to load or to unload contains compressed files or compressed folders.

Additionally, the following services also crash:

• Application Experience
• Application Information
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service
• Certificate Propagation
• Group Policy Client
• Health Key and Certificate Management
• IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
• IP Helper
• Server
• Multimedia Class Scheduler
• User Profile Service
• Remote Access Connection Manager
• Task Scheduler
• Secondary Logon
• System Event Notification Service
• Terminal Services Configuration
• Shell Hardware Detection
• Themes
• Windows Management Instrumentation
• Windows Update

This issue occurs because the User Profile Service (ProfSvc) uses an incorrect synchronization method to set the compression flag in user profiles. Therefore, the User Profile Service encounters an access violation and then crashes.

The User Profile Service and the other services that the Symptoms section mentions share one Svchost.exe process. Therefore, when the User Profile Service crashes, all the other services that the Symptoms section mentions also crash.

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 this specific problem. 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

You must have Windows Vista SP1 installed to apply this hotfix. Service Pack 1 is integrated into Windows Server 2008.

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 and Windows Server 2008 file information notes

• The .manifest files and the .mum files that are installed in each environment are listed separately in the Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista section. These files and their associated .cat (security catalog) files are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The .cat files are signed with a Microsoft digital signature. The attributes of these security files are not listed.

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

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

To work around the issue, do not compress files or folders in user profiles.

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

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported 32-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

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