Hyper-V Guest Service Interface (vmicguestinterface) Defaults in Windows 8

Provides an interface for the Hyper-V host to interact with specific services running inside the virtual machine.

The Hyper-V Guest Service Interface does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Hyper-V Guest Service Interface
Service name:vmicguestinterface
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\ICSvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\vmicguestinterface
Privileges:
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege

Default Behavior

Hyper-V Guest Service Interface is a Win32 service. In Windows 8 it will not be started until the user starts it. When the Hyper-V Guest Service Interface is started, it runs as LocalSystem in a process of svchost.exe, sharing it with other services. If Hyper-V Guest Service Interface 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 vmicguestinterface service hasn't been started.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Hyper-V Guest Service Interface

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

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

sc config vmicguestinterface start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The vmicguestinterface service is using the ICSvc.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.