Human Interface Device Access (hidserv) Service Defaults in Windows 7

Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HID), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Human Interface Device Access
Service name:hidserv
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\hidserv.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\hidserv
Privileges:
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege

Default Behavior

Human Interface Device Access is a Win32 service. In Windows 7 it won't be started if the user doesn't start it. When the Human Interface Device Access service is started, it 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 Human Interface Device Access 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 hidserv service is not running because of the error.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Human Interface Device Access

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config hidserv start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The hidserv service is using the hidserv.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.