Smart Card Device Enumeration Service (ScDeviceEnum) Defaults in Windows 8

Creates software device nodes for all smart card readers accessible to a given session. If this service is disabled, WinRT APIs will not be able to enumerate smart card readers.

The Smart Card Device Enumeration Service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Smart Card Device Enumeration Service
Service name:ScDeviceEnum
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\ScDeviceEnum.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ScDeviceEnum
Privileges:
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege
  • SeSecurityPrivilege

Default Behavior

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

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Smart Card Device Enumeration 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 ScDeviceEnum start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The ScDeviceEnum service is using the ScDeviceEnum.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.