Offline Files (CscService) Service Defaults in Windows 11

The Offline Files service performs maintenance activities on the Offline Files cache, responds to user logon and logoff events, implements the internals of the public API, and dispatches interesting events to those interested in Offline Files activities and changes in cache state.

The Offline Files service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Offline Files
Service name:CscService
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:ProfSvc_Group
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\cscsvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CscService
Privileges:
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeIncreaseBasePriorityPrivilege

Default Behavior

Offline Files is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Offline Files service is started, it logs on as LocalSystem and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Offline Files fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the CscService service startup failure.

Dependencies

Offline Files cannot be started, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Offline Files

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Offline Files 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 CscService start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The CscService service is using the cscsvc.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 11 installation media.