Windows Biometric Service (WbioSrvc) Defaults in Windows 11

The Windows biometric service gives client applications the ability to capture, compare, manipulate, and store biometric data without gaining direct access to any biometric hardware or samples. The service is hosted in a privileged SVCHOST process.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Windows Biometric Service
Service name:WbioSrvc
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:SmartCardGroup
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k WbioSvcGroup
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\wbiosrvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WbioSrvc
Privileges:
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeBackupPrivilege
  • SeRestorePrivilege
  • SeDebugPrivilege
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege
  • SeShutdownPrivilege
  • SeLoadDriverPrivilege

Default Behavior

Windows Biometric Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Windows Biometric Service is started, it logs on as LocalSystem and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Windows Biometric 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 WbioSrvc service startup failure.

Dependencies

Windows Biometric Service cannot be started, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Biometric Service

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Biometric 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 WbioSrvc start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The WbioSrvc service is using the wbiosrvc.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.