Security Accounts Manager (SamSs) Service Defaults in Windows XP
Stores security information for local user accounts.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Automatic |
| Display name: | Security Accounts Manager |
| Service name: | SamSs |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | LocalValidation |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\lsass.exe |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SamSs |
Default Behavior
Security Accounts Manager is a Win32 service. In Windows XP it is starting automatically along with the operating system. Then the Security Accounts Manager service is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of lsass.exe. Other services and drivers are allowed to run in the same process. If the Security Accounts Manager fails to start, the technical information about the error is added to the Event Log. Windows XP startup should proceed, but a message box should be displayed informing the user that the SamSs service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Security Accounts Manager depends on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service.
The Distributed Transaction Coordinator depends on the Security Accounts Manager service.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Security Accounts Manager
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Security Accounts Manager depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.1. Run the Command Prompt.
2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config SamSs start= auto
sc start SamSs
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The SamSs service is using the lsass.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 XP installation media.