Wscsvc.reg — File

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc\Parameters] "ServiceDll"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f, 00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c, 00,77,00,73,00,63,00,73,00,76,00,63,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,00,00 "ServiceDllUnloadOnStop"=dword:00000001 | Value | Data | Meaning | |-------|------|---------| | Start | 2 | Automatic (Delayed Start) | | Start | 3 | Manual | | Start | 4 | Disabled | | Type | 0x10 | Own process | | ErrorControl | 1 | Normal error handling | | ImagePath | svchost -k localservice | Host process | | ServiceDll | wscsvc.dll | Actual service code | 3. Why Would Someone Use wscsvc.reg ? A. Fix Security Center not starting If Windows shows “Security Center service is turned off” and normal methods fail, importing a correct wscsvc.reg restores service configuration. B. Disable persistent security notifications Some users disable WSC to stop “No antivirus found” warnings when they intentionally run without one. ⚠️ Not recommended for regular users. C. Post-malware cleanup Malware often disables WSC to avoid detection. A clean wscsvc.reg helps revert the damage. D. Unattended Windows setup System integrators use .reg files to pre-configure WSC behavior during automated deployments (e.g., disable firewall alerts in a kiosk build). 4. Risks & Warnings | Risk | Explanation | |------|-------------| | Disabling security monitoring | Malware can use wscsvc.reg to disable WSC, then infect the system unnoticed. | | Corrupting the service | Wrong registry values (e.g., bad ServiceDll path) break Security Center entirely. | | Group Policy conflicts | Domain-joined machines may override local WSC settings via GPO. | | Antivirus detection | Legitimate .reg files are often flagged by AV because malware uses similar tactics. | Never import a wscsvc.reg from an untrusted source — it could set Start=4 (disabled) and hide malicious activity. 5. How to Use wscsvc.reg Safely Step 1: Backup the current WSC registry key reg export "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc" wscsvc_backup.reg Step 2: Inspect the .reg file Open it in Notepad. Verify it only contains wscsvc related keys — no HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run or similar. Step 3: Import reg import wscsvc.reg or double-click the file (if UAC is enabled, confirm elevation). Step 4: Restart the service or reboot net stop wscsvc net start wscsvc Step 5: Verify Open Windows Security → Settings → Security Center service status. 6. Manual Alternative (Without .reg file) Instead of using a .reg file, you can fix WSC via Command Prompt (Admin) :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc Example contents to the service startup type to automatic delayed start: wscsvc.reg file

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc] "Start"=dword:00000004 This disables Security Center entirely, then the malware suppresses Windows Defender via other registry changes. The user sees no warnings. Fix Security Center not starting If Windows shows

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc] "Start"=dword:00000002 "Type"=dword:00000010 "ErrorControl"=dword:00000001 "ImagePath"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f, 00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c, 00,73,00,76,00,63,00,68,00,6f,00,73,00,74,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,20, 00,2d,00,6b,00,20,00,6c,00,6f,00,63,00,61,00,6c,00,73,00,65,00,72,00,76, 00,69,00,63,00,65,00,00,00 "DisplayName"="@%SystemRoot%\System32\wscsvc.dll,-200" "Group"="COM Infrastructure" "DependOnService"=hex(7):72,00,70,00,63,00,73,00,73,00,00,00,00,00 "ObjectName"="LocalSystem" "Description"="@%SystemRoot%\System32\wscsvc.dll,-201" ⚠️ Not recommended for regular users

# Reset service to default sc config wscsvc start= delayed-auto sc failure wscsvc reset= 86400 actions= restart/5000/restart/10000/restup/30000 regsvr32 /s wscsvc.dll regsvr32 /s wscapi.dll Restart service net stop wscsvc && net start wscsvc 7. Malware Abuse Case Study Trojan: Win32/Fareit – observed to drop wscsvc.reg with contents: