Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:

  • You have a computer that is running Windows 7 or that is running Windows Server 2008 R2.

  • You use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to connect to a Windows Server 2008 R2 domain controller.Note If you use Windows 7, you must install Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 to use the GPMC.

  • You configure an advanced audit policy setting in a Group Policy object (GPO).

  • You back up the GPO.

  • You perform the following operations in the GPMC:

    • Right-click Domains, and then click Manage Backups.

    • In the Manage Backups dialog box, browse to the backup location, select the GPO backup, and then click View Settings.

In this scenario, you receive the following error message:

Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

This problem also occurs when you use the IGPMBackup::GenerateReportToFile method.

Cause

This problem occurs because the Group Policy reporting module does not verify the NULL value of a variable. When you configure an advanced audit policy setting, the value of a variable in the GPO is set to NULL. Therefore, a null reference exception occurs when the variable is accessed.

Resolution

Apply the hotfix on the computer where you run the GPMC from that encounters this problem.

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 website:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=supportNote 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 be running one of the following operating systems:

  • Windows 7 that has the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7

  • Windows Server 2008 R2

Registry information

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

Restart requirement

You may 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 (United States) version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes

Important Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.

  • The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2 and for Windows 7" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

Microsoft.grouppolicy.reporting.dll

6.1.7600.20798

1,851,392

11-Sep-2010

07:31

x86

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

Microsoft.grouppolicy.reporting.dll

6.1.7600.20798

1,851,392

11-Sep-2010

07:31

x86

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

Microsoft.grouppolicy.reporting.dll

6.1.7600.20798

1,851,392

11-Sep-2010

07:31

x86

Status

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

More Information

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

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Additional file information

Additional file information for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7

File name

Msil_microsoft.grouppolicy.reporting_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20798_none_4a65392f259ae131.manifest

File version

Not Applicable

File size

2,860

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

07:49

Platform

Not Applicable

File name

Update.mum

File version

Not Applicable

File size

1,653

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

10:55

Platform

Not Applicable

File name

X86_1cc04f4a3a4f4bcf409c094bdc304903_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20798_none_341f600346883c5f.manifest

File version

Not Applicable

File size

702

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

10:55

Platform

Not Applicable

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2

File name

Amd64_1cc04f4a3a4f4bcf409c094bdc304903_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20798_none_903dfb86fee5ad95.manifest

File version

Not Applicable

File size

704

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

10:55

Platform

Not Applicable

File name

Msil_microsoft.grouppolicy.reporting_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20798_none_4a65392f259ae131.manifest

File version

Not Applicable

File size

2,860

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

07:49

Platform

Not Applicable

File name

Update.mum

File version

Not Applicable

File size

1,663

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

10:55

Platform

Not Applicable

Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

File name

Ia64_1cc04f4a3a4f4bcf409c094bdc304903_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20798_none_342103f94686455b.manifest

File version

Not Applicable

File size

703

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

10:55

Platform

Not Applicable

File name

Msil_microsoft.grouppolicy.reporting_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20798_none_4a65392f259ae131.manifest

File version

Not Applicable

File size

2,860

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

07:49

Platform

Not Applicable

File name

Update.mum

File version

Not Applicable

File size

1,460

Date (UTC)

11-Sep-2010

Time (UTC)

10:55

Platform

Not Applicable

References

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