When you capture a screenshot on a Windows Vista-based computer, the screenshot unexpectedly includes the mouse pointer

On a Windows Vista-based computer, you can capture a screenshot by pressing PRINT SCREEN on the keyboard. However, the screenshot unexpectedly includes the mouse pointer.

This behavior occurs if the following conditions are true:

• You have configured the computer to use the Windows Aero color scheme feature.
• You either move the window or resize the window while you capture the screenshot.

Note This behavior may also affect some third-party screen-capture programs such as Camtasia Studio.

This behavior occurs because of a design change in Windows Vista.

The Windows Aero color scheme is a new desktop feature that is enabled by Desktop Window Manager (DWM). When DWM is enabled, Windows Vista uses video memory to draw individual windows on off-screen surfaces. Then, Windows Vista displays these windows on the desktop.

If DWM is enabled when you move the window or when you resize the window, Windows Vista uses a software cursor instead of a hardware cursor. The software cursor is a part of the DWM off-screen image of the window before the screen-capture program directs DWM to hide the pointer in the screenshot. For the end-user, this software cursor appears the same as a standard mouse pointer.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: In Windows Vista, this behavior occurs by design. However, if you have Camtasia Studio installed on the computer, you can install a hotfix to change this behavior. This hotfix takes effect only when Camtasia Studio is running.

Note When Camtasia Studio is running directly or is running as a Microsoft PowerPoint plug-in, this hotfix disables the software cursor when you move the window or when you resize the window.

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

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

To use one of the hotfixes in this package, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

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.

Windows Vista, x86-based versions

Windows Vista, x64-based versions

This behavior is by design. This problem was first corrected in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

For more information about DWM, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.