The Windows Audio (AudioSrv) service provides support for sound and related Windows Audio event functions. This service manages events that are compatible with Plug and Play for audio devices such as sound cards and global audio effects (GFX) for Windows audio application program interfaces. Examples of GFXs are equalization (EQ), bass enhancement, and speaker correction. The service loads, unloads, saves, and restores states for the GFXs on a per-session basis.
Through the Multimedia Control Panel, users can accomplish the following:
- Enable or disable a GFX
- Select among several GFX filters if more than one GFX is available that is designed for the specific audio hardware (A GFX driver's .inf file specifies the target hardware for the GFX.)
You cannot stop the Windows Audio service after it is started. If you disable this service, audio functionality may be affected, including the inability to hear sound or process GFXs.
This service is installed by default in Windows 7, and its startup type is Automatic. The service is installed by default in Windows Server 2008 R2, and its startup type is Manual.
When the Windows Audio service is started in its default configuration, it logs on by using the Local Service account.
The Windows Audio service is dependent upon the following system components:
- Multimedia Class Scheduler
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
- RPC Endpoint Mapper
- Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
- Plug and Play