Software Protection (sppsvc) Service Defaults in Windows 8
Enables the download, installation and enforcement of digital licenses for Windows and Windows applications. If the service is disabled, the operating system and licensed applications may run in a notification mode. It is strongly recommended that you not disable the Software Protection service.
Default Settings
| Startup type: |
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| Display name: | Software Protection | ||||||||||||||||||
| Service name: | sppsvc | ||||||||||||||||||
| Service type: | own | ||||||||||||||||||
| Error control: | normal | ||||||||||||||||||
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService | ||||||||||||||||||
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe | ||||||||||||||||||
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\sppsvc | ||||||||||||||||||
| Privileges: |
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Default Behavior
The Software Protection service is a Win32 program that can be started by the Service Controller and that obeys the service control protocol. It is starting automatically after the operating system and most important software have been loaded and started in all editions of Windows 8. This service is starting automatically during the operating system startup in all editions of Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Update 1.
When the Software Protection service is started, it runs as NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService in its own process of sppsvc.exe. If Software Protection 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 sppsvc service hasn't been started.
Dependencies
Software Protection can't start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is disabled or not available.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Software Protection
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Software Protection depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Depending on the version of your operating system, copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER.
For Windows 8 Core, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise:
sc config sppsvc start= delayed-auto
sc start sppsvc
For Windows 8.1 Core, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Update 1 Core, Windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Update 1 Enterprise:
sc config sppsvc start= auto
sc start sppsvc
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The sppsvc service is using the sppsvc.exe 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.