IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules (IKEEXT) Service Defaults in Windows 10

The IKEEXT service hosts the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) and Authenticated Internet Protocol (AuthIP) keying modules. These keying modules are used for authentication and key exchange in Internet Protocol security (IPsec). Stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service will disable IKE and AuthIP key exchange with peer computers. IPsec is typically configured to use IKE or AuthIP; therefore, stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service might result in an IPsec failure and might compromise the security of the system. It is strongly recommended that you have the IKEEXT service running.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
Service name:IKEEXT
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\ikeext.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\IKEEXT
Privileges:
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeDebugPrivilege

Default Behavior

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

Dependencies

IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules cannot be started under any conditions, if the following services are disabled, deleted or working improperly:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules 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 IKEEXT start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The IKEEXT service is using the ikeext.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.