HomeGroup Listener (HomeGroupListener) Service Defaults in Windows 10

Makes local computer changes associated with configuration and maintenance of the homegroup-joined computer. If this service is stopped or disabled, your computer will not work properly in a homegroup and your homegroup might not work properly. It is recommended that you keep this service running.

The HomeGroup Listener service exists only in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:HomeGroup Listener
Service name:HomeGroupListener
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\ListSvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HomeGroupListener
Privileges:
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege

Default Behavior

HomeGroup Listener is a Win32 service. In Windows 10 it is starting only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the HomeGroup Listener service is started, it is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe along with other services. If HomeGroup Listener fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the HomeGroupListener service has failed to start due to the error.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of HomeGroup Listener

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config HomeGroupListener start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The HomeGroupListener service is using the ListSvc.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 10 installation media.