SMS: Registry Change Turns Off Package Target Deletion During Distribution Point Update (235184)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

Systems Management Server 2.0 removes and then recreates the entire package on the distribution points whenever an update is made to the package. This prevents administrators from sending another package to update specific files on the distribution point.

An Example

Package A distributes a program and data file. This package is advertised.
Package B is an updated data file. This package is distributed to the same share/directory as Package A.

As a result, Package A is overwritten by Package B. This is a change in behavior from System Management Server 1.2.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server version 2.0. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. service pack for Systems Management Server version 2.0. For information on obtaining the service pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

S E R V P A C K

MORE INFORMATION

Service Pack 1 provides a registry key to control whether or not Update Distribution Points delete the directory.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Locate the following key in the registry:
```
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SMS\Components\SMS_DISTRIBUTION_MANAGER
						
```
NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.

On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:

   Value Name: Reserved Flags
   Data Type:  REG_DWORD
   Value:      0 (Default, Delete target) or 1 (Overwrite target)

Quit Registry Editor.