Security Accounts Manager - Windows 11 Service
The startup of this service signals other services that the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) is ready to accept requests. Disabling this service will prevent other services in the system from being notified when the SAM is ready, which may in turn cause those services to fail to start correctly. This service should not be disabled.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 7, 8, Vista and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows 11 version | Home | Pro | Education | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| 22H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| 23H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| 24H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Security Accounts Manager |
| Service name: | SamSs |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\system32\lsass.exe |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | MS_WindowsLocalValidation |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
Default Behavior
The Security Accounts Manager service is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of lsass.exe. Other services might run in the same process. If Security Accounts Manager fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 11 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the SamSs service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Security Accounts Manager is unable to start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is stopped or disabled.
If Security Accounts Manager is stopped, the following services cannot start:
Restore Default Startup Type for Security Accounts Manager
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 11 edition and release, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreSecurityAccountsManagerWindows11.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 lsass.exe file exists in the %WinDir%\system32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 11 installation media.