DCOM Server Process Launcher

General Information

None at this time

Windows 8

Default Description

The DCOMLAUNCH service launches COM and DCOM servers in response to object activation requests. If this service is stopped or disabled, programs using COM or DCOM will not function properly. It is strongly recommended that you have the DCOMLAUNCH service running.

Additional Information

None at this time.

Default Startup Type

OS	SP0
Windows 8 x86	Automatic (Started)
Windows 8 x64	Automatic (Started)
Windows 8 Pro x86	Automatic (Started)
Windows 8 Pro x64	Automatic (Started)
Windows 8 Enterprise x86	Automatic (Started)
Windows 8 Enterprise x64	Automatic (Started)

Service Names

Service Name (registry): DcomLaunch
Display Name: DCOM Server Process Launcher

Default Path and Command Line Options

C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch

Log On As

Account: Local System account (Unchangeable)

Dependencies

Note: No dependencies are listed for any service in the WDP build I used to draft this information.

Windows 7

Default Description

The DCOMLAUNCH service launches COM and DCOM servers in response to object activation requests. If this service is stopped or disabled, programs using COM or DCOM will not function properly. It is strongly recommended that you have the DCOMLAUNCH service running.

Additional Information

This service cannot be stopped by services.msc, nor its state changed by applying a registry patch. The default action for this service failure is to restart the computer. Leave this on automatic by all other methods still available to change it.

Default Startup Type

OS	SP0	SP1
Windows 7 Starter	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Windows 7 Home Basic	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Windows 7 Home Premium	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Windows 7 Professional	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Windows 7 Ultimate	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Windows 7 Enterprise	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)

Service Names

Service Name (registry): DcomLaunch
Display Name: DCOM Server Process Launcher

Default Path and Command Line Options

C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch

Log On As

Account: Local System account (unchangeable)

Dependencies

What service DCOM Server Process Launcher needs to function properly:

• None (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)

What other service require DCOM Server Process Launcher to function properly:

• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • ActiveX Installer (AxInstSV) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Application Identity (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Application Information (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Base Filtering Engine(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • IPsec Policy Agent (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Routing and Remote Access (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Windows Firewall (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Bluetooth Support Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Certificate Propagation (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • CNG Key Isolation(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Extensible Authentication Protocol(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • Wired AutoConfig (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • WLAN AutoConfig (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • COM+ Event System(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • COM+ System Application (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • SPP Notification Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • System Event Notification Service(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • COM+ System Application (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • COM+ System Application (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Credential Manager(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Windows Biometric Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Cryptographic Services(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Application Identity (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Disk Defragmenter (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Distributed Link Tracking Client (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Distributed Transaction Coordinator (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Encrypting File System (EFS) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Extensible Authentication Protocol(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Wired AutoConfig (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • WLAN AutoConfig (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Fax (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Function Discovery Provider Host(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • HomeGroup Provider (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Media Center Extender Service (HP, P, U, E)
    • PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • Media Center Extender Service (HP, P, U, E)
  • Function Discovery Resource Publication(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • HomeGroup Provider (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Group Policy Client (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Health Key and Certificate Management (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • IIS Admin Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Indexing Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • IP Helper (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Message Queuing(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Message Queuing Triggers (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Net.Msmq Listener Adapter (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Microsoft FTP Service (HP, P, U, E)
  • Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Network Access Protection Agent (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Network Connections(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Network List Service(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • HomeGroup Provider (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Network Location Awareness(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Network List Service(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • HomeGroup Provider (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • WWAN AutoConfig (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Offline Files (P, U, E)
  • Parental Controls (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Performance Logs & Alerts (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Media Center Extender Service (HP, P, U, E)
  • Portable Device Enumerator Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Print Spooler(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Fax (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • LPD Service (HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Program Compatibility Assistant Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Protected Storage (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Quality Windows Audio Video Experience (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Remote Desktop Configuration (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Remote Desktop Services(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Media Center Extender Service (HP, P, U, E)
    • Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector (P, U, E)
  • Remote Registry (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • RIP Listener (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Routing and Remote Access (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Security Accounts Manager(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Distributed Transaction Coordinator (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • IIS Admin Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Server(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • Computer Browser (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • HomeGroup Listener (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Security Center (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Shell Hardware Detection(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Smart Card Removal Policy (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Software Protection (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Superfetch (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Tablet PC Input Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Task Scheduler (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Telephony(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Fax (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Remote Access Auto Connection Manager (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Remote Access Connection Manager(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • Remote Access Auto Connection Manager (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
      • Routing and Remote Access (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Telnet (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • User Profile Service(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Application Information (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Virtual Disk (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Volume Shadow Copy (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Audio (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Backup (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Biometric Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Color System (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Connect Now – Config Registrar (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Defender (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Installer (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Live Family Safety (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Management Instrumentation(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • IP Helper (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Security Center (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Media Center Receiver Service (HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Media Center Scheduler Service (HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Process Activation Service(S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Net.Msmq Listener Adapter (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Net.Pipe Listener Adapter (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • Net.Tcp Listener Adapter (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
    • World Wide Web Publishing Service (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Remote Management (WS-Management) (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Search (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Windows Update (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • Wired AutoConfig (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • WLAN AutoConfig (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)
  • WWAN AutoConfig (S, HB, HP, P, U, E)

Windows Vista

Default Description

Provides launch functionality for DCOM services.

Additional Information

This service cannot be stopped by services.msc, nor its state changed by applying a registry patch. The default action for this service failure is to restart the computer. Leave this on automatic by all other methods still available to change it. This service uses about 9MB of RAM while sharing the same svchost.exe process with the Plug and Play service.

Default Startup Type

OS	SP0	SP1	SP2
Vista Home Basic	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Vista Home Premium	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Vista Business	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Vista Ultimate	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
Vista Enterprise	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)

Service Names

Service Name (registry): DcomLaunch

Display Name: DCOM Server Process Launcher

Default Path and Command Line Options

C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch

Log On As

Account: Local System Account (unchangeable)

Dependencies

What service DCOM Server Process Launcher needs to function properly:

• None (HB, HP, B, U)

What other service require DCOM Server Process Launcher to function properly:

• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)(HB, HP, B, U)
  • ActiveX Installer (AxInstSV) (B, U)
  • Application Information (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Base Filtering Engine(HB, HP, B, U)
    • IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (HB, HP, B, U)
    • IPsec Policy Agent (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Routing and Remote Access (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Windows Firewall(HB, HP, B, U)
      • Windows Event Collector (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Certificate Propagation (HB, HP, B, U)
  • CNG Key Isolation(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Extensible Authentication Protocol(HB, HP, B, U)
      • Wired AutoConfig (HB, HP, B, U)
      • WLAN AutoConfig (HB, HP, B, U)
  • COM+ Event System(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (HB, HP, B, U)
    • COM+ System Application (HB, HP, B, U)
    • DFS Replication (HB, HP, B, U)
    • SL UI Notification Service (HB, HP, B, U)
    • System Event Notification Service(HB, HP, B, U)
      • COM+ System Application (HB, HP, B, U)
  • COM+ System Application (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Cryptographic Services (HB, HP, B, U)
  • DFS Replication (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Distributed Link Tracking Client (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Distributed Transaction Coordinator (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Extensible Authentication Protocol(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Wired AutoConfig (HB, HP, B, U)
    • WLAN AutoConfig (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Fax (B, U)
  • Function Discovery Provider Host(HB, HP, B, U)
    • PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator(HB, HP, B, U)
      • Windows Media Center Extender Service (HP, U)
    • Windows Media Center Extender Service (HP, U)
  • Function Discovery Resource Publication (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Group Policy Client (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Health Key and Certificate Management (HB, HP, B, U)
  • IIS Admin Service(HB, HP, B, U)
    • FTP Publishing Service (B, U)
  • Indexing Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • IP Helper (HB, HP, B, U)
  • KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Message Queuing(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Message Queuing Triggers (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Net.Msmq Listener Adapter (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Network Access Protection Agent (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Network Connections(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Network List Service(HB, HP, B, U)
    • SL UI Notification Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Network Location Awareness(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Network List Service(HB, HP, B, U)
      • SL UI Notification Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Offline Files (B, U)
  • Parental Controls (HB, HP, U)
  • Performance Logs & Alerts (HB, HP, B, U)
  • PnP-X IP Bus Enumerator(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Windows Media Center Extender Service (HP, U)
  • Portable Device Enumerator Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Print Spooler(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Fax (B, U)
    • TCP/IP Print Server (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Program Compatibility Assistant Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Protected Storage (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Quality Windows Audio Video Experience (HB, HP, B, U)
  • ReadyBoost (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Remote Registry (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Removable Storage (HB, HP, B, U)
  • RIP Listener (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Routing and Remote Access (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Security Accounts Manager(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Distributed Transaction Coordinator (HB, HP, B, U)
    • IIS Admin Service(HB, HP, B, U)
      • FTP Publishing Service (B, U)
    • KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Server(HB, HP, B, U)
      • Computer Browser (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Security Center (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Shell Hardware Detection(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Smart Card Removal Policy (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Software Licensing(HB, HP, B, U)
    • ReadyBoost (HB, HP, B, U)
    • SL UI Notification Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Superfetch (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Tablet PC Input Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Task Scheduler (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Telephony(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Fax (B, U)
    • Remote Access Auto Connection Manager (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Remote Access Connection Manager(HB, HP, B, U)
      • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (HB, HP, B, U)
      • Remote Access Auto Connection Manager (HB, HP, B, U)
      • Routing and Remote Access (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Telnet (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Terminal Services(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Terminal Services UserMode Port Redirector (B, U)
    • Windows Media Center Extender Service (HP, U)
  • Terminal Services Configuration (HB, HP, B, U)
  • User Profile Service(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Application Information (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Virtual Disk (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Volume Shadow Copy (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Audio (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Backup (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Color System (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Connect Now – Config Registrar (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Defender (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Installer (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Live Family Safety (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Management Instrumentation(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (HB, HP, B, U)
    • IP Helper (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Security Center (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Media Center Receiver Service (HP, U)
  • Windows Media Center Scheduler Service (HP, U)
  • Windows Media Center Service Launcher (HP, U)
  • Windows Process Activation Service(HB, HP, B, U)
    • Net.Msmq Listener Adapter (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Net.Pipe Listener Adapter (HB, HP, B, U)
    • Net.Tcp Listener Adapter (HB, HP, B, U)
    • World Wide Web Publishing Service (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Remote Management (WS-Management) (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Search (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Windows Update (HB, HP, B, U)
  • Wired AutoConfig (HB, HP, B, U)
  • WLAN AutoConfig (HB, HP, B, U)

Windows XP Pro x64

Default Description

Provides launch functionality for DCOM services.

Additional Information

None at this time.

Default Startup Type

OS	SP0	SP1	SP2
XP Pro x64	?	?	Automatic

Service Names

Service Name (registry): DcomLaunch

Display Name: DCOM Server Process Launcher

Default Path and Command Line Options

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch

Log On As

Account: Local System Account

Dependencies

What service DCOM Server Process Launcher needs to function properly:

• None

What other service require DCOM Server Process Launcher to function properly:

• None

Windows XP

Default Description

Provides launch functionality for DCOM services.

Additional Information

None at this time.

Default Startup Type

OS	SP0	SP1	SP2	SP3
XP Home	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
XP MCE 2005	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
XP Pro	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)
XP Tablet PC 2005	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)	Automatic (Started)

Service Names

Service Name (registry): DcomLaunch

Display Name: DCOM Server Process Launcher

Default Path and Command Line Options

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch

Log On As

Account: Local System Account

Dependencies

What service DCOM Server Process Launcher needs to function properly:

• None (H, M, P, T)

What other service require DCOM Server Process Launcher to function properly:

• None (H, M, P, T) —

Additional Reading

• DCOM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_Component_Object_Model
• RPC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_procedure_call