Windows Mobile Hotspot Service (icssvc) Defaults in Windows 10

Provides the ability to share a cellular data connection with another device.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
Service name:icssvc
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:TDI
Object:NT Authority\LocalService
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\tetheringservice.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\icssvc
Privileges:
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege

Default Behavior

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

Dependencies

Windows Mobile Hotspot Service cannot be started under any conditions, if the following services are disabled, deleted or working improperly:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Mobile Hotspot Service

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Mobile Hotspot 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 icssvc start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The icssvc service is using the tetheringservice.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.