Group Policy does not apply roaming profiles correctly if NTuser.dat and NTuser.pol files are not synchronized

Group Policy settings and preferences that are targeted at one client computer are unexpectedly applied to a roaming profile user who logs on to a different client computer.

When a roaming profile user logs off, the NTuser.dat file is always updated on the roaming profile share. The corresponding NTuser.pol file is only updated if the timestamp of the local copy that was created at logon is newer than the copy found in the roaming profile share. A synchronization problem may occur if a user with a roaming profile logs on to multiple client computers at the same time. This can eventually cause policy settings to be applied incorrectly.

For example, if the Group Policy loopback feature is applied on one of the client computers, the NTuser.dat file on the roaming profile share may contain loopback policy settings that are not present in the NTuser.pol file. If this problem occurs, the loopback policy settings that are targeted at one client computer may be unexpectedly applied to a user who logs on to a different client computer.

Windows XP service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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. 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: 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

Windows Server 2003, Windows XP SP1, Windows 2000 Server SP3, or Windows 2000 Server SP4

Restart requirement

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

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) 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 tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: