Microsoft KB Archive/936775

Knowledge Base

You cannot set the maximum number of nested windows in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2003

Article ID: 936775

Article Last Modified on 10/11/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems

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Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or in Windows Vista, you cannot set the maximum number of nested windows.

A program can create up to 50 nested windows. If an application tries to create more than 50 nested windows in a window hierarchy, the nested windows that are created after the first 50 may not work.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the maximum number of nested windows is hard-coded in the Win32k.sys file.

RESOLUTION

After you apply this hotfix, you can set the maximum number of nested windows by using a registry entry. For more information, see the instructions in the "Registry information" section.

Windows Vista

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now 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 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or 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. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

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

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

Registry information

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To set the maximum number of nested windows, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type USERNestedWindowLimit, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click USERNestedWindowLimit, and then click Modify.
6. Under Base, click Decimal.
7. In the Value data box, type a new value.
8. Click OK, and then exit Registry Editor.

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, 32-bit versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Update.mum	Not applicable	1,993	21-May-2007	14:20	Not applicable
X86_31124cfa63a45c931775efd34c6f88c1_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20602_none_c4279d87e87fd181.manifest	Not applicable	694	21-May-2007	14:20	Not applicable
X86_microsoft-windows-win32k_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20602_none_b798d68db67c0e20.manifest	Not applicable	6,928	21-May-2007	14:21	Not applicable
Win32k.sys	6.0.6000.20602	2,028,032	19-May-2007	01:40	x86

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform
Amd64_2aa37c1636436a16483f80364b61e988_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20602_none_148d56f42671604e.manifest	Not applicable	698	21-May-2007	14:20	Not applicable
Amd64_microsoft-windows-win32k_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20602_none_13b772116ed97f56.manifest	Not applicable	6,944	21-May-2007	14:26	Not applicable
Update.mum	Not applicable	2,005	21-May-2007	14:20	Not applicable
Win32k.sys	6.0.6000.20602	2,749,952	19-May-2007	01:33	x64

Windows Server 2003

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now 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 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or 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. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

889100 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003

Restart requirement

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

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

Registry information

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To set the maximum number of nested windows, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type USERNestedWindowLimit, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click USERNestedWindowLimit, and then click Modify.
6. Under Base, click Decimal.
7. In the Value data box, type a new value.
8. Click OK, and then exit Registry Editor.

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 Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x86-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement
Gdi32.dll	5.2.3790.4033	282,624	02-Mar-2007	06:41	x86	SP2
Win32k.sys	5.2.3790.4089	1,845,760	28-May-2007	13:10	x86	SP2

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Gdi32.dll	5.2.3790.4033	619,520	29-May-2007	22:19	x64	SP2	Not applicable
Win32k.sys	5.2.3790.4089	4,531,712	29-May-2007	22:19	x64	SP2	Not applicable
Wgdi32.dll	5.2.3790.4033	290,816	29-May-2007	22:19	x86	SP2	WOW

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Itanium-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Gdi32.dll	5.2.3790.4033	913,408	29-May-2007	22:19	IA-64	SP2	Not applicable
Win32k.sys	5.2.3790.4089	5,557,248	29-May-2007	22:19	IA-64	SP2	Not applicable
Wgdi32.dll	5.2.3790.4033	290,816	29-May-2007	22:19	x86	SP2	WOW

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, x86-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement
Gdi32.dll	5.2.3790.2892	284,160	02-Mar-2007	08:11	x86	SP1
Win32k.sys	5.2.3790.2944	1,854,976	28-May-2007	13:45	x86	SP1

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Gdi32.dll	5.2.3790.2892	617,472	29-May-2007	22:14	x64	SP1	Not applicable
Win32k.sys	5.2.3790.2944	4,537,856	29-May-2007	22:14	x64	SP1	Not applicable
Wgdi32.dll	5.2.3790.2892	287,744	29-May-2007	22:14	x86	SP1	WOW

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, Itanium-based versions

File name	File version	File size	Date	Time	Platform	SP requirement	Service branch
Gdi32.dll	5.2.3790.2892	909,312	29-May-2007	22:15	IA-64	SP1	Not applicable
Win32k.sys	5.2.3790.2944	5,553,152	29-May-2007	22:15	IA-64	SP1	Not applicable
Wgdi32.dll	5.2.3790.2892	287,744	29-May-2007	22:15	x86	SP1	WOW

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

The same problem occurs in Microsoft Windows XP. To obtain a hotfix for Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

814789 Windows stops responding with "Stop Error 0x7F" error message

For more information about the terms that are used to describe software updates, 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: kbbug kbfix kbqfe kbpubtypekc kbexpertiseinter kbhotfixserver kbwinserv2003postsp2fix kbwinvistapostrtmfix KB936775

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