A memory leak occurs on a device that is running a Windows Embedded CE 6.0 image that includes the "SYSGEN_DCOM" variable

Consider the following scenario. You have a device that is running a Windows Embedded CE 6.0 image that includes the SYSGEN_DCOM variable. On this device, you run an application that uses the Ole32.dll module and the Oleaut32.dll module. In this scenario, a memory leak may occur. Because of the memory leak, you encounter some unexpected issues. For example, the application crashes or the system performance decreases.

This problem occurs because of the order in which the threads of the Ole32.dll module and the Oleaut32.dll module are terminated. These two modules share thread state data, but only the Ole32.dll module maintains the memory allocation for the data structure. When both of the modules are linked, they are linked in alphabetical order. Therefore, the Oleaut32.dll module is linked after the Ole32.dll module. If both of the modules receive a DLL_THREAD_DETACH message and the Oleaut32.dll module processes the message later, a memory leak occurs.

Software update information

A supported software update is now available from Microsoft as Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Platform Builder Monthly Update (August 2010). You can confirm this by scrolling to the "File information" section. The package file name contains the product version, date, Knowledge Base article number, and processor type. The package file name format is as follows: For example: Wincepb50-060503-kb917590-armv4i.msi is the ARMV4i Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder fix that is documented in KB article 917590 and that is contained in the May 2006 monthly update. To resolve this problem immediately, click the following article number for information about how to obtain Windows CE Platform Builder and core operating system software updates:

Prerequisites

This software update is supported only if all previously issued software updates for this product have also been applied.

Restart requirement

After you install this software update, you must perform a clean build of the whole platform. To do this, use one of the following methods:

• On the Build menu, click Clean Solution, and then click Build Solution.
• On the Build menu, click Rebuild Solution.

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this software update.

Update replacement information

This update does not replace any other updates.

File information

The English version of this software update package 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.

Installer files

Files that are included in this hotfix package

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

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