DCOM Server Process Launcher (DcomLaunch) Service Defaults in Windows 7

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.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:DCOM Server Process Launcher
Service name:DcomLaunch
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:COM Infrastructure
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\rpcss.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DcomLaunch
Privileges:
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeDebugPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeBackupPrivilege
  • SeRestorePrivilege

Default Behavior

DCOM Server Process Launcher is a Win32 service. In Windows 7 it is starting automatically on the operating system startup. Then the DCOM Server Process Launcher service is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other system components, such as drivers and services, may run in the same process. If DCOM Server Process Launcher fails to start, Windows 7 attempts to write the failure details into Event Log. Then Windows 7 startup should proceed and the user should be notified that the DcomLaunch service is not running because of the error.

Dependencies

If DCOM Server Process Launcher is stopped, the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service fails to start and initialize.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of DCOM Server Process Launcher

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config DcomLaunch start= auto
sc start DcomLaunch

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The DcomLaunch service is using the rpcss.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 7 installation media.