Desktop Window Manager Session Manager (UxSms) Service Defaults in Windows 7

Provides Desktop Window Manager startup and maintenance services.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
Service name:UxSms
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:UIGroup
Object:localSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\uxsms.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UxSms
Privileges:
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege
  • SeSecurityPrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege

Default Behavior

Desktop Window Manager Session Manager is a Win32 service. In Windows 7 it is starting automatically on the operating system startup. Then the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager 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 Desktop Window Manager Session Manager 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 UxSms service is not running because of the error.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Desktop Window Manager Session Manager

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config UxSms start= auto
sc start UxSms

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The UxSms service is using the uxsms.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.