Windows Defender Firewall (mpssvc) Service Defaults in Windows 11

Windows Defender Firewall helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Windows Defender Firewall
Service name:mpssvc
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:NetworkProvider
Object:NT Authority\LocalService
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetworkFirewall -p
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\mpssvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\mpssvc
Privileges:
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege

Default Behavior

Windows Defender Firewall is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts automatically during the operating system startup. Then the Windows Defender Firewall service logs on as NT Authority\LocalService and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Windows Defender Firewall fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the mpssvc service startup failure.

Dependencies

Windows Defender Firewall cannot be started, if the following services won't start:

If Windows Defender Firewall doesn't work properly, the Xbox Live Networking Service cannot start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Defender Firewall

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Defender Firewall 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 mpssvc start= auto
sc start mpssvc

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The mpssvc service is using the mpssvc.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.