Article ID: 2530309 - Last Review: October 17, 2011 - Revision: 4.0

Internet Explorer Group Policy Preferences do not apply to Internet Explorer 9 in a Windows Server 2008 R2 domain environment

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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario on a Windows 7-based or Windows Server 2008 R2-based computer:
  • You have a domain server that is running Windows Server 2008 R2.
  • You use the Group Policy Administration Tools for Windows Server 2008 R2.
In this scenario, in the domain in which you are using Internet Explorer Group Policy Preferences, you encounter the following problems.

Problem 1

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, Windows Internet Explorer 7, and Windows Internet Explorer 8 Group Policy Preference items do not apply to users who are running Windows Internet Explorer 9.

Group Policy Preferences logging shows the following.

Nonworking scenario

yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] {683F7AD7-E782-4232-8A6D-F22431F12DB5}
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Starting class <IE8> - Internet Explorer 8.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Starting filter [AND FilterFile].
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Adding child elements to RSOP.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Set user security context.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] apmGetFileVersionEx
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] apmCompareVersionTokens [SUCCEEDED(S_FALSE)]
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Set system security context.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Failed hidden filter [FilterFile].
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Filters not passed.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Completed class <IE8> - Internet Explorer 8.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x3a0,tid=0xb18] Completed class <InternetSettings>.

Working scenario

yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] {683F7AD7-E782-4232-8A6D-F22431F12DB5}
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] Starting class <IE8> - Internet Explorer 8.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] Starting filter [AND FilterFile].
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] Adding child elements to RSOP.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] Set user security context.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] apmGetFileVersionEx
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] apmCompareVersionTokens
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] Set system security context.
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] Passed hidden filter [FilterFile].
yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.ms [pid=0x398,tid=0x29c] Filters passed.

Problem 2

Group Policy Preferences for Internet Explorer policy only exposes options for Internet Explorer 5, for Internet Explorer 6, for Internet Explorer 7, and for Internet Explorer 8. For example, the following screen shot shows that no option appears for Internet Explorer 9 computers:

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No Internet Explorer 9 Options.

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CAUSE

Problem 1

Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7, and Explorer 8 Group Policy Preference items do not apply to users who are running Internet Explorer 9.

Internet Explorer Group Policy Preference items include a targeting item that is a hidden file. This targeting item checks the version of Internet Explorer that is running to make sure that this version matches the version that is selected in the Group Policy Management Editor. This means, for example, that Internet Explorer 8 preference items only apply to computers that use Internet Explorer 8.

The targeting item fails because the version number of Internet Explorer 9 is greater than minimum and maximum values that are selected in the preference item. Therefore, the preference item does not apply to Internet Explorer 9.

Problem 2

No Group Policy Preferences appear for Internet Explorer 9.

Internet Explorer settings in Group Policy Preferences are part of the Windows operating system. The general release dates for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Server 2008 R2 pre-date the release of Internet Explorer 9. Internet Explorer 9 is precluded from shipping with updated Internet Explorer preferences. Therefore, Group Policy Preferences for Internet Explorer 9 are not supported in the release of Windows Server 2008 R2.
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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 website:
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.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must be running one of the following operating systems:
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
For more information about how to obtain a Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
976932  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976932/ ) Information about Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Registry information

To use the hotfix in this package, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

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

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The global 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
  • The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:
    Collapse this tableExpand this table
    VersionProductMilestoneService branch
    6.1.760 0.21xxxWindows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2RTMLDR
    6.1.760 1.21xxxWindows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2SP1LDR
  • The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2 and for Windows 7" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Gppref.dll6.1.7600.210494,343,29609-Sep-201104:31x86
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7600.21049627,71209-Sep-201104:31x86
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7600.21049166,40009-Sep-201104:31x86
Propshts.dll6.1.7600.210492,548,73609-Sep-201104:31x86
Gppref.dll6.1.7601.218144,343,29609-Sep-201106:18x86
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7601.21814627,71209-Sep-201106:18x86
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7601.21814166,40009-Sep-201106:18x86
Propshts.dll6.1.7601.218142,548,73609-Sep-201106:18x86
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Gppref.dll6.1.7600.210494,889,08809-Sep-201105:18x64
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7600.21049901,63209-Sep-201105:18x64
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7600.21049236,03209-Sep-201105:18x64
Propshts.dll6.1.7600.210493,787,77609-Sep-201105:18x64
Gppref.dll6.1.7601.218144,889,08809-Sep-201106:22x64
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7601.21814901,63209-Sep-201106:22x64
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7601.21814236,03209-Sep-201106:22x64
Propshts.dll6.1.7601.218143,787,77609-Sep-201106:22x64
Gppref.dll6.1.7600.210494,343,29609-Sep-201104:31x86
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7600.21049627,71209-Sep-201104:31x86
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7600.21049166,40009-Sep-201104:31x86
Propshts.dll6.1.7600.210492,548,73609-Sep-201104:31x86
Gppref.dll6.1.7601.218144,343,29609-Sep-201106:18x86
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7601.21814627,71209-Sep-201106:18x86
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7601.21814166,40009-Sep-201106:18x86
Propshts.dll6.1.7601.218142,548,73609-Sep-201106:18x86
For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Gppref.dll6.1.7600.210496,577,66409-Sep-201104:11IA-64
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7600.210491,786,88009-Sep-201104:11IA-64
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7600.21049463,36009-Sep-201104:11IA-64
Propshts.dll6.1.7600.210497,068,16009-Sep-201104:11IA-64
Gppref.dll6.1.7601.218146,577,66409-Sep-201104:14IA-64
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7601.218141,786,88009-Sep-201104:14IA-64
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7601.21814463,36009-Sep-201104:14IA-64
Propshts.dll6.1.7601.218147,068,16009-Sep-201104:14IA-64
Gppref.dll6.1.7600.210494,343,29609-Sep-201104:31x86
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7600.21049627,71209-Sep-201104:31x86
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7600.21049166,40009-Sep-201104:31x86
Propshts.dll6.1.7600.210492,548,73609-Sep-201104:31x86
Gppref.dll6.1.7601.218144,343,29609-Sep-201106:18x86
Gpprefbr.dll6.1.7601.21814627,71209-Sep-201106:18x86
Gpprefcn.dll6.1.7601.21814166,40009-Sep-201106:18x86
Propshts.dll6.1.7601.218142,548,73609-Sep-201106:18x86
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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

The software update changes the values that are used for the internal filter for Internet Explorer 8 so that the settings also apply to Internet Explorer 9. To do this, the update that is described in this KB article must be installed on the computer where you edit the policy settings.

Notes
  • This update does not re-write the version information for existing settings. Instead, you must define a new set of Internet Explorer settings in a new or existing Group Policy Object.
  • This update does not create a new Internet Explorer 9 UI item. However, when define new Group Policy Preferences settings, and you select the Internet Explorer 8 option, this setting now applies both to Internet Explorer 8 and to Internet Explorer 9.
After you install this update, the settings that are available for the Internet Explorer 8 option also apply to Internet Explorer 9. However, no new settings are available that are specific only to Internet Explorer 9.

The management of Internet Explorer 9 settings can also be controlled through ADMX or through Internet Explorer Maintenance. More information is available at these websites:
Using Administrative Templates (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg699412.aspx)

Using Internet Explorer Maintenance Extension (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg699413.aspx)

For more information about software update terminology, 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
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Additional file information

Additional file information for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
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File nameX86_0454bfe3570d971d6992132faf7b6855_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21049_none_257bf35ab8e25d79.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size721
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameX86_94c3c65d750d977e0c880175072a015c_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21814_none_ba0f5019838d62dc.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size721
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21049_none_b6c400e72b0aac39.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,059
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:16
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21814_none_b8c5f603281d0f84.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,059
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:16
Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameAmd64_2892ef004a36f1f97d98758617292e3f_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21049_none_8d89aaaf725ec032.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,090
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameAmd64_7f1be49af7709c6339446bebf7eb2343_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21814_none_e43183059dd916f5.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,090
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21049_none_12e29c6ae3681d6f.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,065
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:20
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21814_none_14e49186e07a80ba.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,065
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:20
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21049_none_b6c400e72b0aac39.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,059
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:20
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21814_none_b8c5f603281d0f84.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,059
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:20
Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameIa64_343bb177b23c7f137bfbd808f6a90f5c_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21049_none_8efcda92e2dd0018.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,088
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameIa64_ea6ef3e82ec168211a2cd4abcd3586ab_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21814_none_6214d64b31293eab.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,088
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21049_none_b6c5a4dd2b08b535.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,062
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21814_none_b8c799f9281b1880.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,062
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21049_none_b6c400e72b0aac39.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,059
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-g..rveradmintools-gpme_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21814_none_b8c5f603281d0f84.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size763,059
Date (UTC)09-Sep-2011
Time (UTC)10:11
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APPLIES TO
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows Web Server 2008 R2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2
  • Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
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Keywords: 
kbautohotfix kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbfix kbsurveynew kbexpertiseinter KB2530309
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