SDF Reflector (SDFRd) Service Defaults in Windows 11

The SDF Reflector service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:SDF Reflector
Service name:SDFRd
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\SDFRd.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SDFRd

Default Behavior

SDF Reflector is a kernel driver. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If SDF Reflector fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the SDFRd service startup failure.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of SDF Reflector

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config SDFRd start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The SDFRd service is using the SDFRd.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.