WINDOWS SERVICE
ProfSvc: User Profile Service
Loads and unloads user profiles.
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
| Service name | ProfSvc |
|---|---|
| Display name | User Profile Service |
| Runs from | C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe |
| Command line | svchost.exe -k UserProfileService -p |
| Runs as | LocalSystem |
| Verdict | Leave it alone |
| Microsoft, Windows Server 2016 guidance | No guidance |
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 states that if it is stopped or disabled, users become unable to sign in or sign out, apps might have problems getting to users' data, and components registered for profile event notifications do not receive them. Its guidance for Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise rates it Don't disable.
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 ProfSvc | Format-List Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType sc qc ProfSvc
Common questions
What does the ProfSvc service do?
Loads and unloads user profiles. It runs C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe (svchost.exe -k UserProfileService -p) as LocalSystem.
Can I disable ProfSvc?
Leave it alone. Microsoft states that if it is stopped or disabled, users become unable to sign in or sign out, apps might have problems getting to users' data, and components registered for profile event notifications do not receive them. Its guidance for Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise rates it Don't disable.
Which services depend on the User Profile Service?
On Windows 11 build 26300: Appinfo (Application Information, the service behind UAC elevation), UserManager, TokenBroker, XblGameSave, shpamsvc, NaturalAuthentication and IsolationSession. Get-Service ProfSvc -DependentServices lists them on your PC.
How do I check that it is the real service?
On build 26300 it ran in its own svchost.exe -k UserProfileService -p process as LocalSystem and loaded C:\Windows\System32\profsvc.dll, signed by Microsoft Windows. sc qc ProfSvc prints the command line on your PC.