Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service (MSiSCSI) Defaults in Windows 8

Manages Internet SCSI (iSCSI) sessions from your computer to remote iSCSI target devices. If this service is stopped, your computer will not be able to login or access iSCSI targets. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service
Service name:MSiSCSI
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:iSCSI
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\iscsiexe.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSiSCSI
Privileges:
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeCreatePermanentPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege

Default Behavior

Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 8 it will not be started until the user starts it. When the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service is started, it runs as LocalSystem in a process of svchost.exe, sharing it with other services. If Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service 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 MSiSCSI service hasn't been started.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config MSiSCSI start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The MSiSCSI service is using the iscsiexe.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 8 installation media.