Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP (smphost) Service Defaults in Windows 8

Host service for the Microsoft Storage Spaces management provider. If this service is stopped or disabled, Storage Spaces cannot be managed.

The Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP
Service name:smphost
Service type:own
Error control:normal
Object:NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k smphost
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\smphost.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\smphost

Default Behavior

The Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP service is a Win32 program that can be started by the Service Controller and that obeys the service control protocol. In Windows 8 it will not be started until the user starts it. When the Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP service is started, it runs as NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService in its own process of svchost.exe. If Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP fails to start, the error details are added to Windows 8 error log. When the operating system startup is complete, the user is being notified that the smphost service hasn't been started.

Dependencies

Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP can't start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is disabled or not available.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Microsoft Storage Spaces SMP 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 smphost start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The smphost service is using the smphost.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 8 installation media.