Windows Biometric Service (WbioSrvc) Defaults in Windows 7

The Windows biometric service gives client applications the ability to capture, compare, manipulate, and store biometric data without gaining direct access to any biometric hardware or samples. The service is hosted in a privileged SVCHOST process.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Windows Biometric Service
Service name:WbioSrvc
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:SmartCardGroup
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k WbioSvcGroup
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\wbiosrvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WbioSrvc
Privileges:
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeBackupPrivilege
  • SeRestorePrivilege
  • SeDebugPrivilege
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege

Default Behavior

Windows Biometric Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 7 it won't be started if the user doesn't start it. When the Windows Biometric Service is started, it 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 Windows Biometric Service 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 WbioSrvc service is not running because of the error.

Dependencies

Windows Biometric Service is unable to start, if at least one of the following services is stopped or disabled:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Biometric Service

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Biometric Service depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config WbioSrvc start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The WbioSrvc service is using the wbiosrvc.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.