Brokering File System (bfs) Service Defaults in Windows 11

Brokers file system for AppSilos.

The Brokering File System service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Brokering File System
Service name:bfs
Service type:filesys
Error control:normal
Group:FSFilter Virtualization
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\bfs.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\bfs

Default Behavior

Brokering File System is a file system driver. In Windows 11 it starts automatically during the operating system startup. If Brokering File System fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the bfs service startup failure.

Dependencies

Brokering File System cannot be started, if the FltMgr service won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Brokering File System

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Brokering File System 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 bfs start= auto
sc start bfs

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The bfs service is using the bfs.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 11 installation media.