Windows Firewall Authorization Driver (mpsdrv) Service Defaults in Windows 8

Windows Firewall Authorization Driver is a kernel mode driver that provides deep inspection services on inbound and outbound network traffic.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Windows Firewall Authorization Driver
Service name:mpsdrv
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Group:network
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\mpsdrv.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\mpsdrv

Default Behavior

The Windows Firewall Authorization Driver service is a kernel device driver. In Windows 8 it will not be started until the user starts it. If Windows Firewall Authorization Driver fails to start, the error details are added to Windows 8 error log. When the operating system startup is complete, the user is being notified that the mpsdrv service hasn't been started.

Dependencies

If Windows Firewall Authorization Driver is disabled, the Windows Firewall service will not be started and initialized.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Firewall Authorization Driver

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config mpsdrv start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The mpsdrv service is using the mpsdrv.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 8 installation media.