Program Compatibility Assistant Service (PcaSvc) Defaults in Windows 11

This service provides support for the Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA). PCA monitors programs installed and run by the user and detects known compatibility problems. If this service is stopped, PCA will not function properly.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Service name:PcaSvc
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted -p
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\pcasvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\PcaSvc
Privileges:
  • SeDebugPrivilege
  • SeBackupPrivilege
  • SeRestorePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege

Default Behavior

Program Compatibility Assistant Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts automatically during the operating system startup. Then the Program Compatibility Assistant Service logs on as LocalSystem and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Program Compatibility Assistant Service fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the PcaSvc service startup failure.

Dependencies

Program Compatibility Assistant Service cannot be started, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Program Compatibility Assistant Service

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Program Compatibility Assistant Service 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 PcaSvc start= auto
sc start PcaSvc

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The PcaSvc service is using the pcasvc.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.