Software Protection (sppsvc) Service Defaults in Windows 11
Enables the download, installation and enforcement of digital licenses for Windows and Windows applications. If the service is disabled, the operating system and licensed applications may run in a notification mode. It is strongly recommended that you not disable the Software Protection service.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Automatic |
| Display name: | Software Protection |
| Service name: | sppsvc |
| Service type: | own |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\sppsvc |
| Privileges: |
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Default Behavior
Software Protection is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts automatically during the operating system startup. Then the Software Protection service logs on as NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService and running in its own process of sppsvc.exe. If Software Protection fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the sppsvc service startup failure.
Dependencies
Software Protection cannot be started, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service won't start.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Software Protection
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Software Protection 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 sppsvc start= auto
sc start sppsvc
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The sppsvc service is using the sppsvc.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.