Microsoft Kernel Audio Splitter Service Defaults in Windows XP

Microsoft Kernel Audio Splitter by Microsoft Corporation.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Microsoft Kernel Audio Splitter
Service name:splitter
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\splitter.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\splitter

Default Behavior

Microsoft Kernel Audio Splitter is a kernel device driver. In Windows XP it won't start until the current user starts it. If the Microsoft Kernel Audio Splitter 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 splitter service has failed to start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Microsoft Kernel Audio Splitter

1. Run the Command Prompt.

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

sc config splitter start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The splitter service is using the splitter.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows XP installation media.