Microsoft is blaming hardware configurations for transfer problems between Windows XP- and Windows Server 2003-based computers and machines running Windows Vista. According to Microsoft, the transfer issues will manifest themselves when users attempt to copy files 100 MG or larger from XP and Windows Server 2003 to Vista over a network connection. Additionally, Microsoft informed that the issue is associated with the use of Windows Explorer for the file transfer. A simple operation like drag and drop in Windows Explorer will result in a slow transfer.

"In this scenario, the file transfer operation may be slightly slower than expected. This problem occurs only in certain hardware configurations. This problem does not occur when you copy files to or from another Windows Vista-based computer," Microsoft informed.

However, Microsoft does provide no less than four different workarounds to mitigate the issue. The first solution is to disable the Windows Explorer Navigation Pane. In order to do so, make your way to Computer via the Start Menu, then select Organize, Layout and Navigation Pane. The second method involves mapping a network drive to a folder containing the files. Through the Start Menu, Map Network Drive and enter the path of the network folder in the Folder box.

Users also can turn to the Robocopy utility that ships with Windows Vista. Just use the following command at the command prompt Robocopy source_path destination_path file_name. And last but not least, you will also be able to turn off the automatic adjustment for the TCP window size on the network. Start, All Programs, Accessories, right click Command Prompt and use administrator privileges and then type: netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled.