ie8 fix
madison

The Ed Bott Report

Ed Bott
Home / News & Blogs / The Ed Bott Report

Windows 7 RC gets its first bug, and it's a doozy

By | May 8, 2009, 9:22am PDT

Summary: Yesterday, Microsoft published Knowledge Base article 970789, which provides details of a problem that affects the 32-bit (x86) English-language version of Windows 7 build 7100. If you haven’t installed the Widows 7 RC yet, stop and read this first!

The first documented bug in the Windows 7 Release Candidate (build 7100) is a doozy.

Yesterday, Microsoft published Knowledge Base article 970789, which provides details of a problem that affects the 32-bit (x86) English-language version of Windows 7 build 7100. The problem, in short, is that the installer incorrectly sets access control lists (ACLs) on the root of the system drive. The longer version is described as follows:

In the English version of Windows 7 Release Candidate (build 7100) 32-bit Ultimate, the folder that is created as the root folder of the system drive (%SystemDrive%) is missing entries in its security descriptor. One effect of this problem is that standard users such as non-administrators cannot perform all operations to subfolders that are created directly under the root. Therefore, applications that reference folders under the root may not install successfully or may not uninstall successfully. Additionally, operations or applications that reference these folders may fail.

For example, if a folder is created under the root of the system drive from an elevated command prompt, this folder will not correctly inherit permissions from the root of the drive. Therefore, some specific operations, such as deleting the folder, will fail when they are performed from a non-elevated command prompt. Additionally, the following error message appears when the operation fails:

Access is denied.

Furthermore, the missing security descriptor entries protect non-admin file operations directly under the root.

A hotfix is available as an important update that should be delivered and installed automatically by Windows Update, assuming you have set up automatic updates. On one test system that I checked just now, the update had already been installed overnight. On two other systems, the update had been downloaded but was awaiting installation.

The hotfix package fixes the security descriptor of the root of the system drive, but it does not repair applications that are already installed, nor does it affect the permissions of folders that were created after the installation.

If you installed the x64 version of Windows 7, you are apparently unaffected by this issue.

If you haven’t yet installed the Windows 7 RC, it’s important to install this hotfix after you set up Windows and before you install any programs or restore any backed-up data.

This sounds like a pretty serious bug, and I’m surprised that it slipped through into the release candidate. I haven’t observed any deleterious effects from this issue yet but am doing further testing today. If anyone has any firsthand reports of being bitten by this bug, please leave a comment in the Talkback section with more details.

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily e-mail newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

More from “The Ed Bott Report”

Topics

Folder, Microsoft Windows 7, Root, Windows 7 RC, Hotfix, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications.

Disclosure

Ed Bott

Ed Bott is a freelance technical journalist and book author. All work that Ed does is on a contractual basis.

Since 1994, Ed has written more than 25 books about Microsoft Windows and Office. Along with various co-authors, Ed is completely responsible for the content of the books he writes. As a key part of his contractual relationship with publishers, he gives them permission to print and distribute the content he writes and to pay him a royalty based on the actual sales of those books. Ed's books written prior to fall 2011 have been distributed by Que Publishing (a division of Pearson Education) and by Microsoft Press. As of November 2011, Ed is a partner in the independent publishing company Fair Trade Digital Exchange, which exclusively publishes his books.

On occasion, Ed accepts consulting assignments. In recent years, he has worked as an expert witness in cases where his experience and knowledge of Microsoft and Microsoft Windows have been useful. In each such case, his compensation is on an hourly basis, and he is hired as a witness, not an advocate.

Ed does not own stock or have any other financial interest in Microsoft or any other software company. He owns 500 shares of stock in EMC Corporation, which was purchased before the company's acquisition of VMware. In addition, he owns 350 shares of stock in Intel Corporation, purchased more than two years ago. All stocks are held in retirement accounts for long-term growth.

Ed does not accept gifts from companies he covers. All hardware products he writes about are purchased with his own funds or are review units covered under formal loan agreements and are returned after the review is complete.

Biography

Ed Bott

Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He's served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books on Microsoft Windows and Office, including the recently released Windows 7 Inside Out.

325
Comments
Add Your Opinion

Join the conversation!

Just In

RE: Windows 7 RC gets its first bug, and it's a doozy
erniem1970@... 10th Jul 2009
And guess what? That is why every software has fixes and patches. Nothing is perfect from the start but that does not mean it is not the best operating system in the world and always will be. Microsoft always fixes everything when there is a problem and there is always going to be sick twisted people out there trying to exploit, send viruses or spyware. That is NOT Microsofts fault people. GET OVER IT!
View in thread
0 Votes
+ -
Windows 7 RC gets its first bug, and it's a doozy
Loverock Davidson 8th May 2009
Microsoft Windows 7 which is still in testing phase has a bug. Bug is reported and fixed. So the testing phase/system worked. No big deal.
0 Votes
+ -
"I?m surprised that it slipped through"
fr0thy2 8th May 2009
Why surprised Ed? Are you going to try to tell me next that Microsoft RC's are reliable and well tested?
0 Votes
+ -
Ahh the usless comments are back - and 2nd one in if
ItsTheBottomLine 11th May 2009
that one guy were betting he would make a lot of money on you - man your easy.
0 Votes
+ -
Useless Comments
geoffrey.seymour 11th May 2009
socialism=nowhere - you talk about useless
comments, try your own and reply on topic.

OK it's only a RC - out there to find the bugs
and that is what is being found.

When you've been involved in M$ software since
DOS v1.0 make a worthy response. Otherwise keep
it to yourself.
0 Votes
+ -
No surprise at all. ITS A BETA!
JABBER_WOLF 11th May 2009
Are you surprised that Beta's have no bugs or issues at all?

Hmm, why have pre-releases unless they are looking for bugs?

Oh one response to this article is the most appropriate, articulate, and most accurate:
DUHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
0 Votes
+ -
Isn't this the RELEASE CANIDATE?
Wintel BSOD 11th May 2009
Isn't this the version Micro$haft was gonna dump on the public?

lol...
0 Votes
+ -
Do you know what candidate means?
bobiroc 11th May 2009
Because you cannot spell it. Candidate basically means possible. Think of it in terms of voting. The presidential Candidate is not necessarily the one that becomes the president. Right. In the terms of software Release Candidate is just the final leg of the beta program. Its function is to give the public the chance to use it and work out any final bugs. So IMO the RC is doing its job because they are discovering some issues before it is finally released.
  • Flagged
0 Votes
+ -
Not to mention
LegendsOfBatman 11th May 2009
Not to mention, even the final release will have bugs and issues. It's the nature of the beast.
Sure, we'd all love our OS' to be perfect out of the box; but, that is just impossible. There's always someone who is going to try and penetrate the OS, regardless how secure it is supposed to be. No matter how flawless the OS is, there's always going to be some "oops, how did we miss that?" fix that is going to be needed.
I'm not tech geeky enough to understand all the ins and outs of these things, but I suppose the reason is, in order for everything to work as well as it does, things have to be open enough to let everything work. I suppose they could create an OS that would lock down every possible point of entry, but, then nothing would work. Or, to get it to work, you'd have to be a software developer? But, even still, wouldn't there be some punk kid who'd be able to figure out a way to infiltrate the system anyway?
0 Votes
+ -
Right!
bobiroc 11th May 2009
Thats why all other Software makers and even other industries have this. Auto Makers have recalls and make revisions from year to year for example. Despite what the MS Bashers say Linux, Mac OS, or any other OS/Software maker does this. If this was not the case then There would be no 1.x. It would just skip from 1 to 2 and so on.
0 Votes
+ -
bobiroc
shadfurman 11th May 2009
right, and when windows has a bug generally
nobody gets killed, when an automobile has a
bug (depending) its possible someone will get
killed... good analogy. And it prob got
overlooked cause it was so simple and out in
the open people weren't looking for it. It
sounds more like a typo like deal than a bug.
This is kinda a big whoop, but I understand
what he meant when he said he couldn't believe
they hadn't caught it yet. It is kind of out in
the open. But sometimes things hide best out in
the open.
0 Votes
+ -
shadfurman:
bobiroc 11th May 2009
Then pick your own industry or other software/hardware manufacturer. The point of my post is that everything that is made today is not free from imperfections. But to carry on about this like its the end of the world like some are is ludicrous. Sure it was a relatively big bug, but the Author of the article or anyone else has yet to release how many were supposedly affected by this and the ultimate point is this is not the Final version and if someone installed it on a production box expecting to use it as a Final Release then they are to blame because all the disclaimers say not to do that. Seeing as the bug was caught (and fixed) within days of the RC going public I would have to think very few were affected.
0 Votes
+ -
@shadfurman
ariesghost 13th May 2009
You mean like fords bad choice in tires? It was pretty obvious. It did kill people but it was blatantly obvious and yet they didn't catch or fix it for a number of months. Maybe auto makers need to do a RC similar to the computer companies. Let the craziest of the population test the vehicles like they do OSes. The world would turn on its ear and leprechauns would start throwing gold into the faces of a panicked populace while drinking coors.

0 Votes
+ -
RC doesn't mean beta
Greenknight_z Updated - 12th May 2009
An RC is not a beta - it's a build produced after you believe beta testing has found all the major bugs, one that might become the final release. This was a pretty serious bug to make it through beta testing undiscovered, but at least they fixed it before release.
0 Votes
+ -
Candidate without opposition??
MoralOrder 12th May 2009
@ bobiroc - Candidate means there are others also in the voting ... Windows 7 & who?

@ Greenknight_z - yes, beta means testing - RC means "this is what we set in the race that will actually be released"; _neither_ "may or may not be in the race ... " _nor_ "may or may not be released".

Using bobiroc's analogy from politics, it is ridiculous to send a RC without alternative, or releasing something else than what was the RC. Where do you people get your education? Or is RC just another word for ?green-banana policy? software.

"The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck is probably
the day they start making vacuum cleaners " -- Ernst Jan Plugge
0 Votes
+ -
Its still part of the testing phase
bobiroc 12th May 2009
So its not inaccurate. I do agree that this could have been a serious bug if it was not discovered, but I do not think it caused mass issues with anyone since it was discovered and patched within a few days. In software terms beta and RC are both testing and the primary difference is when it makes it to the RC stage(s) the features are done and now it is time to iron out any kinks.
0 Votes
+ -
No big deal, We're used to those windoze "issues"
InAction Man 8th May 2009
It's business as usual, who cares?
0 Votes
+ -
RE: No big deal, We're used to those windoze "issues"
dougbeer 10th May 2009
So true Inattentionman. Just Like we are used to the daily updates in Solaris, SUSE, FreeBSD, etc. And you missed that opportunity again.
0 Votes
+ -
dude that made no sense
shadfurman 11th May 2009
and linux has issues too, you can be a blind
believer if you want too, but nothing is
perfect and nothing digital is secure.
0 Votes
+ -
Black and white much?
AzuMao 11th May 2009
There aren't only two levels, "perfect" and
"windows"; there are shades in between.
0 Votes
+ -
Wow....
DCMann 12th May 2009
I nominate this for MS bashing comment of the year. You actually believe that every OS is perfect except for windows? Really?
0 Votes
+ -
Re: Wow....
AzuMao 13th May 2009
I nominate this for replying without reading
comment of the year.

It was ONE (1) sentence, how hard could it have
been to finish reading it before replying..
0 Votes
+ -
Why not, he's right...
Wintel BSOD 12th May 2009
With monopoly status comes intense scrutinization.

lol.. grin
0 Votes
+ -
Maybe so but at least they address them
Crestview 11th May 2009
as compared to Applez issues, which they ignore. I know, been using them for 15 years, don't even START with me!
0 Votes
+ -
BUT
nickdangerthirdi@... 11th May 2009
just because MS address them doesn't mean they always fix them... some of the best KB articles I have read end with, "This is by design" granted this is a RC so its bound to have issues, which is the point of releasing it early, but my company has had an open issue on XP with MS for about 4 months since they pushed out an update for IE7 that has yet to get fixed and we are having to UNC to shared drives in order to run access database's (before anyone goes off on me for that one, I didn't write the databases, I just make them work) and they still haven't fixed that. so don't feel bad, MS isn't really getting any better, they just want you to think so...
0 Votes
+ -
We're used to propaganda BS like you as well.
JABBER_WOLF 11th May 2009
Its a fricken BETA.. its not released.

There is no "BUG" unless they release it with it!

The release of beta's is to find bugs ya knucklehead!
0 Votes
+ -
Calm down man, you're too tense. I didn't say that was wrong,
InAction Man 11th May 2009
I just said that's normal, that's their way of doing things.
0 Votes
+ -
It's NOT a beta, it's a Release Candidate
InAction Man 11th May 2009
I hope you can tell the difference.
0 Votes
+ -
I can.. Can you?
bobiroc 11th May 2009
Release Candidate Official Definition:

English
NounSingular
release candidate
Plural
release candidates

release candidate (plural release candidates)

(software development) A version of a program that is nearly ready for release but may still have a few bugs;

The way some are crying on her and saying a Release Candidate is not a beta is partially true. A release Candidate is the final stage of the beta so it is not to be condidered a the FINAL release. The function of a release candidate is for a software developer to finalize the features and put it out for testing. This is what is happening and a bug was found and fixed. Everyone needs to get over it.

0 Votes
+ -
This WILL be what's released....
todbran@... 9th May 2009
to the general public, as in final release. Again, you have no clue. I don't know why you keep commeting on things that you are clueless about. Lovie, you would be much better off just staying under the rock.
0 Votes
+ -
....
Badgered 11th May 2009
This WILL be what's released....to the general public, as in final release.

Odd, my understanding is that the RTM is what "WILL" be released. This being a release candidate... well, obviously the candidate needs at least one fix before RTM.
0 Votes
+ -
Ummm......
wbgilbert 11th May 2009
So your saying that this bug will be in the final
RTM release?

I think you misunderstand the concept of a Release
Candidate. This is yet another step in the testing
process on the way to making a full release. The
Release Candidate is yes, more polished than the
Beta versions are, yet you're mistaken if you
believe that he only purpose of releasing a
Release CANDIDATE is to show it off before you
actually releasing the finished product.

The intent is to release an early version to a
larger crowd in order to find more bugs. The bugs
are FIXED before the full release.

I think it is you who are the clueless one.
0 Votes
+ -
Then they should call it another beta...
Wintel BSOD 11th May 2009
... insteading of BSing the public with semantics...
0 Votes
+ -
OK, Leson for the day
rarsa 11th May 2009
Betas are not feature wise complete.

RCs are Feature wise complete but are released to smooth out bugs.

Have you ever developed or contributed to any release of any OS or linux distro?

I guess no. Consider this a good day, you learned something.
0 Votes
+ -
Why are so many people not getting this?
bobiroc 11th May 2009
Anyone that does not fully understand how the Beta and RC programs work should leave and not ever use betas or RC versions of Windows or any software until they understand their purpose. The purpose of a Release Candidate is to find bugs in the software. So it sounds like the RC of Win7 is doing what it should. Ironing out some bugs before it is OFFICIALLY released to be sold.
0 Votes
+ -
Did I?
Wintel BSOD 11th May 2009
I learned your pretty good with semantics.

LOL.... grin
0 Votes
+ -
Industry standard terms
mmayhew916 11th May 2009
It's not playing with semantics. Alpha, beta, release candidate, etc. are all industry standard terms that are widely used in software engineering on many platforms. You should learn the definitions instead of accusing someone else of using semantics to twist things.
0 Votes
+ -
Semantics
Wintel BSOD 13th May 2009
1: the study of meanings: a: the historical and psychological study and the classification of changes in the signification of words or forms viewed as factors in linguistic development b (1): semiotic

(2): a branch of semiotic dealing with the relations between signs and what they refer to and including theories of denotation, extension, naming, and truth 2: general semantics3 a: the meaning or relationship of meanings of a sign or set of signs ; especially : connotative meaning b: the language used (as in advertising or political propaganda) to achieve a desired effect on an audience especially through the use of words with novel or dual meanings
0 Votes
+ -
Nope
LegendsOfBatman 22nd May 2009
Release Candidate is just that. A final stage in the BETA testing. Sometimes they do an RC2. This time, they probably wont.
I'm doing something that most people would NEVER do, and is NEVER recommended. I'm using Win 7 on my main system.
Granted, I'm doing something that's not typical. I'm returning this crap system, with it's Vista 64-bit OS, and waiting for the final release of windows 7 (or, whatever it will be called on release). I'll undoubtedly go back to 32 bit, because 64-bit is not ready.
I'm not thrilled that many of my software titles don't work with 64-bit. Sadly, this is mostly games I enjoy, and am told that virtualization wont help much. It might in some cases, but, not in most. I suppose if there were a way to get the XPV to recognize drivers, it might-- altho, Im told that is not possible. But, since this is being returned, I'll give it a try anyway, and see what happens.
Anyway, the point is, Windows 7 seems to be pretty stable to me. Its more of the 64 bit thing I hate than anything. And, this is STILL a beta. Ive seen less stable systems post actual release than Windows 7's RC, and I have seen RTM's that are actually more buggy than this version.
And trust me, if something can go wrong on my system, it will. Heck, even things that CANT go wrong, go wrong on my system.
0 Votes
+ -
Nope
AzuMao 23rd May 2009
Release Candidate is when they have finished the
Alpha and closed Beta and public Beta stages, and
the current version is now a real candidate for
release.
0 Votes
+ -
RC2 anyone?
sdwilliams2009 11th May 2009
todbran,

There have been several instances where follow-up "RELEASE CANDIDATES" have been released. Go crawl under your rock, and boot your favorite distro...

Flame on!
0 Votes
+ -
Fail
AzuMao 9th May 2009
It has already finished alpha and public beta
testing. It is considered ready (or almost ready)
for release at this point, and there are flaws
popping up at fundamental levels. Not a good sign.
0 Votes
+ -
Cutting it too close
pwatson 11th May 2009
Many people have donated free testing to Microsoft for months. What is surprising is that it was not identified until now. Was this bug in earlier packages?

While "RC" does mean that it is still under testing, it also means that it is very close to something Microsoft would deliver to paying customers.
0 Votes
+ -
Not surprising at all
akulkis 12th May 2009
Microsoft for years encouraged apps developers to program against a 1950's single-user machine model

so of course, very very very few of the testers have been running as anything other than Admin.

Just another symptom of how the Windows programming model and security model are totally messed up and all but worthless.
0 Votes
+ -
Contributr
Oh for crying out loud
Ed Bott Updated - 8th May 2009
It's a RELEASE CANDIDATE, not a beta. Here's what Steven Sinofsky said about it:

"This release will be Windows 7 as we intend to ship it. We will continue to listen to feedback and telemetry with the focus on addressing only the most critical issues that arise."

It is a colossal embarrassment that this bug made it into the RC. Trying to defend it is ludicrous.
0 Votes
+ -
Reason for RC
Unknown 8th May 2009
This is the reason they do RC releases. To do a final run through with a wide audience to find showstoppers. Looks like they found one. Better now than in the RTM.
0 Votes
+ -
Contributr
Indeed, but...
Ed Bott Updated - 14th May 2009
This should never have made it into the RC. The showstoppers they're looking for now should be obscure or related to interactions with third-party products.

Setting permissions incorrectly on the root of the system drive? And it was apparently changed from earlier betas? (Shakes head....)
0 Votes
+ -
Just like that new Mac commercial
SpideyWriter 8th May 2009
Needing to install a patch immediately after laying down the OS but before installing any apps is a mistep for any release candidate. The situation sounds like that new-ish Mac commercial with all the warnings that scroll up from the bottom the screen (the "Legal Copy" ad). An embarassment indeed.
0 Votes
+ -
Contributr
Uh...
Ed Bott 8th May 2009
It's really difficult to imagine releasing an operating system and then having to release a critical update a few days later, isn't it? Like, for example:

Mac OS X
10.0 4K78 March 24, 2001
10.0.1 4L13 April 14, 2001
10.0.2 4P12 May 1, 2001
10.0.3 4P13 May 9, 2001
0 Votes
+ -
Have you used a mac lately
bobiroc Updated - 8th May 2009
I don't know about you but everytime I turn on my macbook it has 100's of MBs of updates. This is a Release Candidate. This is exactly why they do this. To put it out there and let the generally public use it and catch a few bugs when put in real world situations. Isn't that why they say not to install this on a production computer unless you are expecting to find a few qwerks. Seriously people.

EDIT: Since I got swore at and called a liar I guess I will apologize and edit my post. I only use my Mac book every few months or so for work when I have to test things for the Macs I support at work. I may pop it on once in a while for some web browsing but thats about it. My point is that no OS (or software) for that matter is exempt from patches and bug fixes no matter how superior some think their favorite OS/Software is. But to criticize something this harshly on something that is not even fully released is ridiculous. Sure it should have been caught and it was before the OS went production. So the Beta/RC program is doing its job. That should be a good thing. I will stand by my statement that say that anyone that feels that a release candidate should be considered a final build is an idiot.
0 Votes
+ -
I have. Have you? Quite sincerely, the answer is "No".
HypnoToad72 8th May 2009
The last 3 days I did a 'software update'. ZERO PATCHES.

My new Macbook required a few, because it was new, but it wasn't hundreds of megabytes or anywhere near that...

So, yes, where the flying squirrel are you coming up with "100s of MBs of updates"? The same place where Bullwinkly the Dirty Moosey pulled his talent?

0 Votes
+ -
RE: Windows 7 RC gets its first bug, and it's a doozy
erniem1970@... 10th Jul 2009
And guess what? That is why every software has fixes and patches. Nothing is perfect from the start but that does not mean it is not the best operating system in the world and always will be. Microsoft always fixes everything when there is a problem and there is always going to be sick twisted people out there trying to exploit, send viruses or spyware. That is NOT Microsofts fault people. GET OVER IT!

Join the conversation!

Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]
ie8 fix
ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

Blog Roll

Blog Archive

White Papers, Webcasts, & Resources
ie8 fix
ie8 fix