Windows Encryption Provider Host Service (WEPHOSTSVC) Defaults in Windows 10

Windows Encryption Provider Host Service brokers encryption related functionalities from 3rd Party Encryption Providers to processes that need to evaluate and apply EAS policies. Stopping this will compromise EAS compliancy checks that have been established by the connected Mail Accounts.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Windows Encryption Provider Host Service
Service name:WEPHOSTSVC
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:NT AUTHORITY\LocalService
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k WepHostSvcGroup
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\wephostsvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WEPHOSTSVC

Default Behavior

Windows Encryption Provider Host 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 Encryption Provider Host Service is started, it is running as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService in a shared process of svchost.exe along with other services. If Windows Encryption Provider Host 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 WEPHOSTSVC service has failed to start due to the error.

Dependencies

Windows Encryption Provider Host Service cannot be started under any conditions, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is disabled.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Encryption Provider Host Service

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Encryption Provider Host 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 WEPHOSTSVC start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The WEPHOSTSVC service is using the wephostsvc.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.