Registry Size Limit (RSL) functionality is still be honored if the RegistrySizeLimit registry key is set

This article provides a resolution for the issue that Registry Size Limit (RSL) functionality is still be honored if the RegistrySizeLimit registry key is set.

Applies to:   Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10 - all editions, Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Original KB number:   2567018

Symptoms

Users may be unable to login to a Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server. When logging on to the server, you receive the following error:

ERROR

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Windows cannot log you on because your profile cannot be loaded. Check that you are connected to the network, or that your network is functioning correctly. If this problem persists, contact your network administrator.
DETAIL - Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service.

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Additionally, a Windows Server 2008-based computer may log the following event in the Application Event Log:

Log Name: Application
Source: Microsoft-Windows-User Profiles Service
Date: DATE
Event ID: 1508
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: SYSTEM
Computer: computer name
Description: Windows was unable to load the registry. This problem is often caused by insufficient memory or insufficient security rights.
DETAIL - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. for C:\Users\UserProfile\ntuser.dat

Windows Server 2003-based servers may log the following events in the System and Application Event Logs:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Popup
Event Category: None
Event ID: 333
Date: date
Time: time
User: N/A
Computer: computer name
Description: An I/O operation initiated by the Registry failed unrecoverably. The Registry could not read in, or write out, or flush, one of the files that contain the system's image of the Registry.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Userenv
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1508
Date: Date
Time: Time
User: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: Computer Name
Description: Windows was unable to load the registry. This is often caused by insufficient memory or insufficient security rights. DETAIL - Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service. for C:\Documents and Settings\user\ntuser.dat

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Userenv
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1500
Date: Date
Time: Time
User: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: Computer Name
Description: Windows cannot log you on because your profile cannot be loaded. Check that you are connected to the network, or that your network is functioning correctly. If this problem persists, contact your network administrator. DETAIL - Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service.

Event Type: Information
Event Source: Application Popup
Event Category: None
Event ID: 26
Date: Date
Time: Time
User: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: Computer Name
Description: Application popup: Windows - Low On Registry Space: The system has reached the maximum size allowed for the system part of the registry. Additional storage requests will be ignored.

Rebooting the server might resolve the issue temporarily.

Cause

Windows Server 2003, 2008 and 2008 R2 still honor the Registry Size Limit (RSL) functionality if the RegistrySizeLimit registry key is set to a value other than 0.

Resolution

If the RegistrySizeLimit key exists or is set to a value other than 0, delete the key or set it to 0. This will allow the operating system to automatically set the registry size as needed. It is recommended to delete this registry key unless it is specifically required for another reason.

If RegistrySizeLimit is not present or is set to 0, the registry size limit will be automatically set to one third of the max paged pool size.

Important: This Information also applies to client operating systems like Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.