Windows Color System - Windows 8 Service
The WcsPlugInService service hosts third-party Windows Color System color device model and gamut map model plug-in modules. These plug-in modules are vendor-specific extensions to the Windows Color System baseline color device and gamut map models. Stopping or disabling the WcsPlugInService service will disable this extensibility feature, and the Windows Color System will use its baseline model processing rather than the vendor's desired processing. This might result in inaccurate color rendering.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 7 and Vista.
Startup Type
| Windows 8 edition | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 8.1 Update 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Pro | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Enterprise | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Windows Color System |
| Service name: | WcsPlugInService |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\system32\svchost.exe -k wcssvc |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\WcsPlugInService.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\LocalService |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
The Windows Color System service runs as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other services might run in the same process. If Windows Color System fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 8 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the WcsPlugInService service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Windows Color System won't start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is stopped or disabled.
Restore Default Startup Type of Windows Color System
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 8 release and edition, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreWindowsColorSystemWindows8.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.
Note. Make sure that the WcsPlugInService.dll file exists in the %WinDir%\System32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 8 installation media.