ReFS Dedup Service (refsdedupsvc) Defaults in Windows 11

ReFS data deduplication and compression service to track file changes and run scheduled optimization jobs.

The ReFS Dedup Service exists only in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:ReFS Dedup Service
Service name:refsdedupsvc
Service type:own
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\ReFsDedupSvc.exe
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\refsdedupsvc

Default Behavior

ReFS Dedup Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the ReFS Dedup Service is started, it logs on as LocalSystem and running in its own process of ReFsDedupSvc.exe. If ReFS Dedup 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 refsdedupsvc service startup failure.

Dependencies

ReFS Dedup Service cannot be started, if the following services won't start:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of ReFS Dedup Service

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which ReFS Dedup 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 command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config refsdedupsvc start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The refsdedupsvc service is using the ReFsDedupSvc.exe 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.