Microsoft Hyper-V Generation Counter (gencounter) Service Defaults in Windows 11
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | Microsoft Hyper-V Generation Counter |
| Service name: | gencounter |
| Service type: | kernel |
| Error control: | normal |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\vmgencounter.sys |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\gencounter |
Default Behavior
Microsoft Hyper-V Generation Counter is a kernel driver. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If Microsoft Hyper-V Generation Counter fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the gencounter service startup failure.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Microsoft Hyper-V Generation Counter
1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config gencounter start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The gencounter service is using the vmgencounter.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.