IPsec Policy Agent - Windows 11 Service
Internet Protocol security (IPsec) supports network-level peer authentication, data origin authentication, data integrity, data confidentiality (encryption), and replay protection. This service enforces IPsec policies created through the IP Security Policies snap-in or the command-line tool "netsh ipsec". If you stop this service, you may experience network connectivity issues if your policy requires that connections use IPsec. Also,remote management of Windows Defender Firewall is not available when this service is stopped.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 7, 8, Vista and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows 11 version | Home | Pro | Education | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 22H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 23H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 24H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Default Properties
| Display name: | IPsec Policy Agent |
| Service name: | PolicyAgent |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkServiceNetworkRestricted -p |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\ipsecsvc.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | NT Authority\NetworkService |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
The IPsec Policy Agent service is running as NT Authority\NetworkService in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other services might run in the same process. If IPsec Policy Agent fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 11 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the PolicyAgent service has failed to start.
Dependencies
IPsec Policy Agent is unable to start, if at least one of the following services is stopped or disabled:
Restore Default Startup Type for IPsec Policy Agent
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 11 edition and release, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreIPsecPolicyAgentWindows11.bat file to any folder on a local drive such as SSD or a hard disk.
3. Right-click the downloaded batch file and select Properties.
4. Check the Unblock checkbox and click OK.
5. Right-click the batch file again and select Run as administrator.
6. Restart the computer to save changes.
Note. Make sure that the ipsecsvc.dll file exists in the %WinDir%\System32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 11 installation media.