Slow logon time (again)

A common problem which delays logon times concerns IE branding. This issue seems random, effecting all Windows versions running IE 7.0 or IE 8.0. Testing this I found results not consistent, with some clients or servers showing a logon delay, but not a universal issue across all devices. On one system were the below fix was applied logon time was reduced from over 60 seconds to just 4 seconds!

By checking C:\Documents & Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\brndlog.txt shows if the problem exists. This log file records time taken for branding to be processed, from start to finish, this file should take nothing more than 2 to 4 seconds.

Microsoft reference this issuein: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941158 which details a fix for IE 7.0 MS report the issue does not exist with IE 8.0. (support case open with MS for IE 8.0)

The fix for IE 7.0 requires a new registry entry adding to machines:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_PARSING_BRANDING_CMDLINE_FLAGS_KB941158
This key seems to completely disable branding, which I suppose is one why of bypassing the issue, although I’ve never come across a fix that requires a registry key with the KB number in the name, looks like a very rushed job. The file responsible for branding is iedkc32.dll which is located in System32 and SysWOW64.

From a fixed IE 7.0 server, I have copied the above files across to a IE 8.0 server and proved this resolves the issue, although that’s not really a logon term fix!