On a Windows XP-based computer, the archive attribute for a file in an offline folder is lost when the file is synchronized back to the server

Consider the following scenario:

• You are running a Windows XP-based computer.
• On this computer, you maintain a local version of a shared folder. This folder is available offline.
• While you are offline, you create a file in this folder by using an application that sets the file attributes to 0x0 instead of to FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL.

In this scenario, the archive attribute for the file is lost when the file is synchronized back to the server. This may cause a malfunction in some backup software.

Notes

• The archive attribute is used by certain backup software to determine whether a file has changed since the last backup.
• You can see the file attributes by using Details view in Windows Explorer.
• You can use the Attrib command to check the file attributes.

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.

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, submit a request to 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 have Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) installed.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

To use this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes 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.

Windows XP with SP2, x86-based versions

Windows XP with SP3, x86-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 the Attrib command, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about the CreateFile function, visit the following Microsoft Web site:For more information about file attributes, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: