Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions (Wmi) Service Defaults in Windows XP

Provides systems management information to and from drivers.

The Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions
Service name:Wmi
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\advapi32.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wmi

Default Behavior

Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions is a Win32 service. In Windows XP it won't start until the current user starts it. When the Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions service is started, it is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other services and drivers are allowed to run in the same process. If the Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions 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 Wmi service has failed to start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions

1. Run the Command Prompt.

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

sc config Wmi start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The Wmi service is using the advapi32.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 XP installation media.