WINDOWS SERVICE
DcomLaunch: DCOM Server Process Launcher
Launches Component Object Model (COM) and Distributed COM (DCOM) servers when a program asks to activate an object. Microsoft says that if it is stopped or disabled, programs using COM or DCOM cannot function properly.
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
| Service name | DcomLaunch |
|---|---|
| Display name | DCOM Server Process Launcher |
| Runs from | C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe |
| Command line | svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch -p |
| Runs as | LocalSystem |
| Verdict | Leave it alone |
| Microsoft, Windows Server 2016 guidance | No guidance (Microsoft highly recommends leaving it running) |
Paths, signer and service account observed on Windows 11 build 26300 on 11 November 2026. Run the commands below to check your own PC.
Should you touch it?
Leave it aloneMicrosoft highly recommends letting it run, and its guidance for Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise rates it Don't disable, because programs that use COM or DCOM stop working properly without it. On the PC used for this page Windows did not accept a stop request for it.
What PC Tweaker does with it
PC Tweaker does not change this service. No control in the catalogue stops it, disables it or edits its start type.
Check it yourself
See its state and start type
PowerShellGet-Service DcomLaunch | Format-List Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType sc qc DcomLaunch
Common questions
What is the svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch process in Task Manager?
The service host for the DcomLaunch group. On Windows 11 build 26300 that one process ran five services: DcomLaunch, BrokerInfrastructure (Background Tasks Infrastructure Service), PlugPlay (Plug and Play), Power and SystemEventsBroker. tasklist /svc /fi "services eq DcomLaunch" shows the list on your PC.
What does the DcomLaunch service do?
Launches Component Object Model (COM) and Distributed COM (DCOM) servers when a program asks to activate an object. Microsoft says that if it is stopped or disabled, programs using COM or DCOM cannot function properly. It runs C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe (svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch -p) as LocalSystem.
Can I disable DcomLaunch?
Leave it alone. Microsoft highly recommends letting it run, and its guidance for Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise rates it Don't disable, because programs that use COM or DCOM stop working properly without it. On the PC used for this page Windows did not accept a stop request for it.
How do I check that it is the real service?
On build 26300 the service loads C:\Windows\System32\rpcss.dll, signed by Microsoft Windows, and runs as LocalSystem. sc qc DcomLaunch prints the command line, which should be svchost.exe in System32 with -k DcomLaunch -p.