Diagnostic Service Host (WdiServiceHost) Defaults in Windows 8
The Diagnostic Service Host is used by the Diagnostic Policy Service to host diagnostics that need to run in a Local Service context. If this service is stopped, any diagnostics that depend on it will no longer function.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | Diagnostic Service Host |
| Service name: | WdiServiceHost |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\LocalService |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalService |
| File: | %SystemRoot%\system32\wdi.dll |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WdiServiceHost |
| Privileges: |
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Default Behavior
Diagnostic Service Host is a Win32 service. In Windows 8 it will not be started until the user starts it. When the Diagnostic Service Host is started, it runs as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService in a process of svchost.exe, sharing it with other services. If Diagnostic Service Host 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 WdiServiceHost service hasn't been started.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Diagnostic Service Host
1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config WdiServiceHost start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The WdiServiceHost service is using the wdi.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.