System Event Notification Service (SENS) Defaults in Windows 8

Monitors system events and notifies subscribers to COM+ Event System of these events.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic
Display name:System Event Notification Service
Service name:SENS
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Group:ProfSvc_Group
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\sens.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SENS
Privileges:
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege

Default Behavior

System Event Notification Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 8 it is starting automatically during the operating system startup. Then the System Event Notification Service runs as LocalSystem in a process of svchost.exe, sharing it with other services. If System Event Notification 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 SENS service hasn't been started.

Dependencies

System Event Notification Service can't start, if the COM+ Event System service is disabled or not available.

If System Event Notification Service is disabled, the COM+ System Application service will not be started and initialized.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of System Event Notification Service

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which System Event Notification Service depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config SENS start= auto
sc start SENS

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The SENS service is using the sens.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.