Group Policy Client (gpsvc) Service Defaults in Windows 7

The service is responsible for applying settings configured by administrators for the computer and users through the Group Policy component. If the service is stopped or disabled, the settings will not be applied and applications and components will not be manageable through Group Policy. Any components or applications that depend on the Group Policy component might not be functional if the service is stopped or disabled.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Group Policy Client
Service name:gpsvc
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:ProfSvc_Group
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\gpsvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\gpsvc
Privileges:
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeSecurityPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreatePermanentPrivilege
  • SeShutdownPrivilege
  • SeLoadDriverPrivilege
  • SeRestorePrivilege
  • SeBackupPrivilege

Default Behavior

Group Policy Client is a Win32 service. In Windows 7 it is starting automatically on the operating system startup. Then the Group Policy Client service is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other system components, such as drivers and services, may run in the same process. If Group Policy Client 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 gpsvc service is not running because of the error.

Dependencies

Group Policy Client is unable to start, if at least one of the following services is stopped or disabled:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Group Policy Client

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Group Policy Client 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 gpsvc start= auto
sc start gpsvc

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The gpsvc service is using the gpsvc.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.