"Delete cached roaming profiles" policy causes packages to be Reinstalled (298960)

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to 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

Some Microsoft Installer (MSI) packages my be reinstalled when the user attempts to start the packaged program after logging off and then logging on. This issue can occur if you use roaming profile and you have the "Delete cached copies of roaming profiles" policy enabled. This policy is located under:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Logon

CAUSE

The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT key is stored in the user's profile located in the Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Userclass.dat file. The Local Settings folder is listed in the exclusion list for profile roaming. Therefore, if the "Delete cached copies of roaming profiles" profile is in use, the Userclass.dat file is deleted.

RESOLUTION

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 your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
To resolve this problem, remove the Local Settings value from the following registry location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current version\winlogon\ExcludeProfileDirs