Cursor does not blink in programs when you connect to a Windows Server 2003-based computer by using a Terminal Services session

After you log on to a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer by using a Terminal Services session, the cursor does not blink in programs. For example, the cursor does not blink at the command prompt and in programs such as Notepad. You experience this symptom even after you configure the cursor blink rate in the Keyboard tool in Control Panel.

This problem occurs because cursor blinking is disabled in Terminal Services sessions in Windows Server 2003.

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

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

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must 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 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 tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, 32-bit editions

Windows Server 2003, 64-bit editions

How to add the CursorBlinkEnable registry entry to enable cursor blinking

After you install the hotfix, you can enable cursor blinking. To do this, add the CursorBlinkEnable registry entry to the following registry sub-key, and then set the registry entry to 1: To enable cursor blinking, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click String Value.
4. Type CursorBlinkEnable, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click CursorBlinkEnable, and then click Modify.
6. Type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
7. Quit Registry Editor.

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

For additional information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: