A program may run very slowly if the network connection to your home folder is slow in Windows Server 2003 or in Windows XP

When you start a program in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or in Microsoft Windows XP, the program may run very slowly if the following conditions are true:

• You start a program that does not have a Start in property.
• The network connection to the mapped network share that contains your home folder is slow.

Additionally, when you log on to the computer, the logon process may be slower than expected if the following conditions are true:

• The client computer must look for system DLL files in your home folder.
• The network connection to the mapped network share that contains your home folder is slow.

For more information about a similar issue that has a different cause, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

This problem occurs because the program is slowed by a high-latency connection. A program that does not have a Start in property searches for DLL files in the current working folder first, and then the folders that are specified in the system path. The current working folder is typically your home folder. If your home folder is on a mapped network share and if the network connection to that share is a high-latency connection such as a wide area network (WAN) or a virtual private network (VPN), you may experience slow performance.

Windows Server 2003

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix information

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the 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, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Windows XP

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

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed on the computer.

Restart requirement

You must restart the 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 XP, x86-based versions with Service Pack 1

Windows XP, x86-based versions with Service Pack 2

To work around this problem, change the Start in property of the program shortcut to a folder on a local drive or to a computer that can be accessed over a low-latency connection.

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 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

After this hotfix is applied, you must configure the registry manually to enable the preemptive path search: When the value of this registry entry is set to "1," the computer first searches the folders that are specified in the system path, and then searches the current working folder. When the value of this registry entry is set to "0," the computer first searches the current working folder, and then searches the folders that are specified in the system path. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Technical support for Windows x64 editions

Your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for Microsoft Windows x64 editions. Your hardware manufacturer provides support because a Windows x64 edition was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the Windows x64 edition installation with unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you need technical help with your Windows x64 edition. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware.

For product information about Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For product information about Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 editions, visit the following Microsoft Web site: