Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS) Defaults in Windows 7

The Diagnostic Policy Service enables problem detection, troubleshooting and resolution for Windows components. If this service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Diagnostic Policy Service
Service name:DPS
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:NT AUTHORITY\LocalService
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\dps.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DPS
Privileges:
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege

Default Behavior

Diagnostic Policy Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 7 it is starting automatically on the operating system startup. Then the Diagnostic Policy Service is running as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other system components, such as drivers and services, may run in the same process. If Diagnostic Policy Service fails to start, Windows 7 attempts to write the failure details into Event Log. Then Windows 7 startup should proceed and the user should be notified that the DPS service is not running because of the error.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Diagnostic Policy Service

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config DPS start= auto
sc start DPS

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The DPS service is using the dps.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 7 installation media.