Microsoft KB Archive/928877

= When you change the user password on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, you lose access to data =

Article ID: 928877

Article Last Modified on 12/15/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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SYMPTOMS
When you change the user password on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, you lose access to data.

This problem occurs if the Data Protection API (DPAPI) protects data when the domain-joined computer is offline.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

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.



WORKAROUND
To work around this behavior, change the password back to the original password.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
The DPAPI helps protect data in Microsoft Windows 2000 and in later operating systems by protecting private keys and confidential information. The DAPI also protects stored credentials in Windows XP and in later operating systems. For more information, 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

Keywords: kbqfe kbpubtypekc KB928877

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