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Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

This article contents is Microsoft Copyrighted material.
©2005-©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Trademarks

Article ID: 959441 - Last Review: December 31, 2008 - Revision: 1.0

The "GetFileVersionInfo" function for localized binary files may return incorrect file-version information in Windows Server 2008 and in Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Hotfix Download Available
View and request hotfix downloads

View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

In Windows Server 2008 and in Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), the GetFileVersionInfo function for localized binary files may return incorrect file-version information.

For example, the correct file version of the following file is 7.00.6001.18000:

Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Iexplore.exe

However, GetFileVersionInfo returns 7.00.6000.16386.

Additionally, if you use the software inventory function in Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 or in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007 to scan for required updates for Windows Server 2008 or for Windows Vista, incorrect results may be returned. This occurs because SMS 2003 and SCCM 2007 use the GetFileVersionInfo function to query file-version information.

Note This issue does not occur in Windows XP or in Windows Server 2003.

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CAUSE

This issue occurs because Microsoft has modified how file-version information is retrieved in Windows Server 2008 and in Windows Vista.

File-version information has a fixed part and a nonfixed part. The fixed part contains information such as the version number. The nonfixed part contains things such as strings. In earlier operating systems, the GetFileVersionInfo function takes file-version information from the binary file. (This file is an .exe file or a .dll file.)

However, in Windows Server 2008 and in Windows Vista, GetFileVersionInfo queries the fixed part of the file-version information from the multilanguage file (an .exe file or a .dll file) and queries the nonfixed part of the file-version information from the .mui file. Then, GetFileVersionInfo merges the fixed and nonfixed parts of the file-version information and returns the result to the user. If a particular binary file does not have a corresponding .mui file, file-version information retrieval reverts to the behavior of the earlier operating system.

SMS 2003 and SCCM 2007 determine file version information by using the GetFileVersionInfo API. Therefore, file-version information for localized binary files is different in Windows Server 2008 and in Windows Vista than in earlier operating systems.

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RESOLUTION

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:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

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

You must have Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista SP1 installed to apply this hotfix.

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 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 item in Control Panel.