Hardware Policy Driver - Windows 10 Service
Contains Processor and other policies.
This service also exists in Windows 11 and 8.
Startup Type
| Windows 10 version | Home | Pro | Education | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1507 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 1511 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 1607 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 1703 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 1709 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 1803 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 1809 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 1903 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 1909 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 2004 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 20H2 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 21H1 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 21H2 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| 22H2 | Boot | Boot | Boot | Boot |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Hardware Policy Driver |
| Service name: | hwpolicy |
| Type: | kernel |
| Path: | %WinDir%\System32\drivers\hwpolicy.sys |
| Error control: | ignore |
Default Behavior
The Hardware Policy Driver service is a kernel mode driver. If Hardware Policy Driver fails to load or initialize, Windows 10 start up proceeds. No warning is displayed, but the error is recorded into the Event Log.
Restore Default Startup Type of Hardware Policy Driver
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 10 edition and release, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreHardwarePolicyDriverWindows10.bat file to any folder on your hard drive.
3. Right-click the downloaded batch file and select Run as administrator.
4. Restart the computer to save changes.
Note. Make sure that the hwpolicy.sys file exists in the %WinDir%\System32\drivers folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 10 installation media.