Shell Hardware Detection (ShellHWDetection) Service Defaults in Windows 10

Provides notifications for AutoPlay hardware events.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Shell Hardware Detection
Service name:ShellHWDetection
Service type:share
Error control:ignore
Group:ShellSvcGroup
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\shsvcs.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ShellHWDetection
Privileges:
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege

Default Behavior

Shell Hardware Detection is a Win32 service. In Windows 10 it is starting automatically when the operating system starts. Then the Shell Hardware Detection service is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe along with other services. If Shell Hardware Detection fails to load or initialize, Windows 10 start up proceeds without warnings. However the error details are being logged.

Dependencies

Shell Hardware Detection cannot be started under any conditions, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is disabled.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Shell Hardware Detection

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Shell Hardware Detection 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 commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config ShellHWDetection start= auto
sc start ShellHWDetection

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The ShellHWDetection service is using the shsvcs.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.