Offline Files Driver (CSC) Service Defaults in Windows 11

Allows network files to be used while the local computer is offline.

The Offline Files Driver service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: System
Display name:Offline Files Driver
Service name:CSC
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Group:network
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\csc.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC

Default Behavior

Offline Files Driver is a kernel driver. In Windows 11 it starts at Kernel initialization. If Offline Files Driver fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the CSC service startup failure.

Dependencies

Offline Files Driver cannot be started, if the Redirected Buffering Sub System service won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Offline Files Driver

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Offline Files Driver 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 CSC start= system
sc start CSC

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The CSC service is using the csc.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.