Windows Container Isolation (wcifs) Service Defaults in Windows 10

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

The Windows Container Isolation service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Windows Container Isolation
Service name:wcifs
Service type:filesys
Error control:normal
Group:FSFilter Virtualization
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\wcifs.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wcifs

Default Behavior

Windows Container Isolation is a file system driver. In Windows 10 it is starting automatically when the operating system starts. If Windows Container Isolation fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the wcifs service has failed to start due to the error.

Dependencies

Windows Container Isolation cannot be started under any conditions, if the FltMgr service is disabled.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Container Isolation

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Container Isolation 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 wcifs start= auto
sc start wcifs

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The wcifs service is using the wcifs.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.