The LocalLow folder may not be created on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer or on a Windows Server 2008-based computer when roaming profiles are used in a domain environment

Consider the following scenario:

• You configure roaming profiles for a domain environment.
• You log on to the domain from a Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)-based computer or from a Windows Server 2008-based computer. On this computer, the LocalLow folder is created.
• You log on to the domain from another Windows Vista SP1-based computer or on a Windows Server 2008-based computer.

In this scenario, the LocalLow folder is not created on the second computer. Therefore, any applications that access the LocalLow folder may fail.

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 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.
Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the “Hotfix Request” page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

You must have Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 installed to apply this hotfix.

Note Service Pack 1 is integrated into Windows Server 2008.

Restart requirement

You 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 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 item in Control Panel.

Note The .manifest files and the .mum files that are installed in each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista" section. These files and their associated .cat (security catalog) files are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The .cat files are signed with a Microsoft digital signature. The attributes of these security files are not listed.

For all supported 32-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported Windows Server 2008 Itanium-Based Systems operating systems

To work around the issue, use one of the following methods:

• Create the LocalLow folder manually by using a script during the logon process.
• Delete the following registry subkey:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4340}\Version
  . Then, log off from and log on to the computer.

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

Windows Vista introduces a new Application Data folder structure. Previously, user profiles did not logically sort data that was stored in the Application Data folder. Therefore, it was difficult to determine whether data belonged to the computer or the user. Windows Vista addresses this issue by creating a single AppData folder that contains three subfolders under the user profile: Roaming, Local, and LocalLow.

Windows Vista uses the Local and LocalLow folders for application data that does not roam with the user. Usually, this data is specific to the computer or is too large to roam. The AppData\Local folder in Windows Vista is the same as the Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Application Data folder in Windows XP.

Windows uses the Roaming folder for application-specific data that is independent of the computer and that should roam with the user profile, such as a custom dictionary. The AppData\Roaming folder in Windows Vista is the same as the Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data folder in Windows XP.

For more information, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported 32-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported Windows Server 2008 Itanium-Based Systems operating systems

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: