Windows Licensing Monitoring Service (WLMS) Defaults in Windows 10

This service monitors the Windows software license state.

The Windows Licensing Monitoring Service exists only in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Windows Licensing Monitoring Service
Service name:WLMS
Service type:own
Error control:critical
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\wlms\wlms.exe
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WLMS

Default Behavior

Windows Licensing Monitoring Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 10 it is starting automatically when the operating system starts. Then the Windows Licensing Monitoring Service is running as LocalSystem in its own process of wlms.exe. If Windows Licensing Monitoring Service fails to load or initialize, Windows 10 attempts to record the error details into Event Log and restart the PC, using the Last Known Good configuration. If the Last Known Good configuration cannot be applied or working improperly, Windows 10 startup process halts with a Stop error. If you disable or delete the WLMS service, Windows 10 won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Licensing Monitoring Service

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config WLMS start= auto
sc start WLMS

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The WLMS service is using the wlms.exe file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32\wlms directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 10 installation media.