Virtual Registry for Containers (clreg) Service Defaults in Windows 10

Provides a virtual registry view for processes running within Windows Containers.

The Virtual Registry for Containers service exists only in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Virtual Registry for Containers
Service name:clreg
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Group:base
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\registry.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\clreg

Default Behavior

Virtual Registry for Containers is a kernel device driver. In Windows 10 it is starting automatically when the operating system starts. If Virtual Registry for Containers fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the clreg service has failed to start due to the error.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Virtual Registry for Containers

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config clreg start= auto
sc start clreg

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The clreg service is using the registry.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 10 installation media.