Windows Licensing Monitoring Service (WLMS) Defaults in Windows 8
This service monitors the Windows software license state.
The Windows Licensing Monitoring Service exists only in:
- Windows 8 Enterprise
- Windows 8.1 Enterprise
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Automatic |
| Display name: | Windows Licensing Monitoring Service |
| Service name: | WLMS |
| Service type: | own |
| Error control: | critical |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\wlms\wlms.exe |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WLMS |
Default Behavior
The Windows Licensing Monitoring Service is a Win32 program that can be started by the Service Controller and that obeys the service control protocol. In Windows 8 it is starting automatically during the operating system startup. Then the Windows Licensing Monitoring Service runs as LocalSystem in its own process of wlms.exe. If Windows Licensing Monitoring Service fails to load or initialize, the error details should be automatically logged. Then Windows 8 is restarting the PC and attempting to use the Last Known Good configuration. If the Last Known Good configuration isn't working properly, Windows 8 startup ends with a Stop error. If you disable the WLMS service, Windows 8 will fail to start.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Licensing Monitoring Service
1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config WLMS start= auto
sc start WLMS
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The WLMS service is using the wlms.exe file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32\wlms directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 8 installation media.