User password is set to NULL when you use Group Policy Preferences to create a user account

Article ID: 971357 - View products that this article applies to.
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SYMPTOMS

You may encounter one or more of the following symptoms when you create a new user account by using Group Policy Preferences in the Group Policy Management Editor window on a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008:
  • The user account password is set to NULL when you update some of its properties and then press the Apply button.
  • The user account password is set to NULL when you set the length of the user account password to a range of 16-23 characters.
  • The whole setting file (groups.xml) file is deleted when you create a user account and then press the Apply button. Therefore, all user settings are lost.
When you encounter one or more of these issues, the user cannot log on to the computer by using the new user account. Additionally, the user account password is not set as expected, and the user account password does not comply with a strong password policy. Therefore, there is a security issue.
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CAUSE

This problem occurs because the Group Policy Management Editor Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in window does not manage passwords well. When the Apply button is clicked, the Group Policy Management Editor MMC snap-in window incorrectly clears the password of the user account or all the user settings.
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RESOLUTION

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:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support
(http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)
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 Server 2008
  • Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)

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 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.

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are 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 x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista SP1
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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirement
Gpme.dll6.0.6001.22435722,43218-May-200913:48x86SP1
Gppref.dll6.0.6001.224353,838,46418-May-200913:49x86SP1
Gpprefbr.dll6.0.6001.22435691,20018-May-200913:49x86SP1
Gpprefcn.dll6.0.6001.22435202,24018-May-200913:49x86SP1
Gpregistrybrowser.dll6.0.6001.22435222,72018-May-200913:49x86SP1
Propshts.dll6.0.6001.224352,139,13618-May-200913:49x86SP1
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirement
Gpme.dll6.0.6002.22138722,43218-May-200913:44x86SP2
Gppref.dll6.0.6002.221383,766,27218-May-200913:44x86SP2
Gpprefbr.dll6.0.6002.22138691,20018-May-200913:44x86SP2
Gpprefcn.dll6.0.6002.22138202,24018-May-200911:36x86SP2
Gpregistrybrowser.dll6.0.6002.22138222,72018-May-200911:36x86SP2
Propshts.dll6.0.6002.221382,139,13618-May-200913:44x86SP2
For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirement
Gpme.dll6.0.6001.224351,038,84818-May-200913:39IA-64SP1
Gppref.dll6.0.6001.224355,990,91218-May-200913:39IA-64SP1
Gpprefbr.dll6.0.6001.224351,842,68818-May-200913:39IA-64SP1
Gpprefcn.dll6.0.6001.22435480,25618-May-200913:39IA-64SP1
Gpregistrybrowser.dll6.0.6001.22435563,20018-May-200913:39IA-64SP1
Propshts.dll6.0.6001.224355,737,47218-May-200913:39IA-64SP1
For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirement
Gpme.dll6.0.6002.221381,038,84818-May-200913:35IA-64SP2
Gppref.dll6.0.6002.221385,754,36818-May-200913:35IA-64SP2
Gpprefbr.dll6.0.6002.221381,842,68818-May-200913:35IA-64SP2
Gpprefcn.dll6.0.6002.22138480,25618-May-200913:35IA-64SP2
Gpregistrybrowser.dll6.0.6002.22138563,20018-May-200913:35IA-64SP2
Propshts.dll6.0.6002.221385,737,47218-May-200913:35IA-64SP2
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista SP1
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirement
Gpme.dll6.0.6001.22435771,58418-May-200914:04x64SP1
Gppref.dll6.0.6001.224354,329,98418-May-200914:04x64SP1
Gpprefbr.dll6.0.6001.22435956,92818-May-200914:04x64SP1
Gpprefcn.dll6.0.6001.22435265,72818-May-200914:04x64SP1
Gpregistrybrowser.dll6.0.6001.22435290,81618-May-200914:04x64SP1
Propshts.dll6.0.6001.224353,103,74418-May-200914:04x64SP1
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirement
Gpme.dll6.0.6002.22138771,58418-May-200913:45x64SP2
Gppref.dll6.0.6002.221384,236,80018-May-200913:45x64SP2
Gpprefbr.dll6.0.6002.22138956,92818-May-200913:45x64SP2
Gpprefcn.dll6.0.6002.22138265,72818-May-200913:45x64SP2
Gpregistrybrowser.dll6.0.6002.22138290,81618-May-200913:45x64SP2
Propshts.dll6.0.6002.221383,103,74418-May-200913:45x64SP2
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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:
  • Avoid passwords that are 16-23 characters long when you use Group Policy Preferences to create a user account.
  • Click the OK button instead of the Apply button after you edit the user account settings.
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STATUS

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

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/ )
Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Package_for_kb971357_client_1~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,43420-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_client_2~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,52920-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_client~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,71220-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server_0~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,41620-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server_1~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,52920-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,71320-May-200912:03Not Applicable
X86_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22435_none_b6a31fabc9eec626.manifestNot Applicable1,362,31818-May-200923:30Not Applicable
X86_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22138_none_b88c9271c712674f.manifestNot Applicable1,362,31818-May-200922:57Not Applicable

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Amd64_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22435_none_12c1bb2f824c375c.manifestNot Applicable1,362,37619-May-200923:40Not Applicable
Amd64_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22138_none_14ab2df57f6fd885.manifestNot Applicable1,362,37619-May-200901:50Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_client_1~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,44220-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_client_2~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,53920-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_client~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,72220-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server_0~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,42420-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server_1~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,53920-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,72320-May-200912:03Not Applicable

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

Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ia64_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22435_none_b6a4c3a1c9eccf22.manifestNot Applicable1,362,34719-May-200923:34Not Applicable
Ia64_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22138_none_b88e3667c710704b.manifestNot Applicable1,362,34719-May-200901:07Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server_0~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,42020-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server_1~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,37120-May-200912:03Not Applicable
Package_for_kb971357_server~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot Applicable1,71620-May-200912:03Not Applicable
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Properties

Article ID: 971357 - Last Review: October 7, 2011 - Revision: 2.0
APPLIES TO
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V
  • Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
Keywords: 
kbautohotfix kbexpertiseadvanced kbfix kbsurveynew kbqfe KB971357
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