Windows Process Activation Service Error 2:The system cannot find the file specified

asp.net iis iis-8
Eric picture Eric · May 11, 2018 · Viewed 19k times · Source

IIS on my development computer stopped working. I just installed the latest update to windows 10 (1803) and now when I try to start the "Windows Process Activation Service" I get an "Windows could not start the Windows Process Activation Service on Local computer. Error 2: The System cannot find the file specified" error. Things I have already tried:

  • Reinstalled IIS and Windows Process Activation Service, several times
  • I verified that I do have a "C:\inetpub\temp\appPools" folder

Not sure what to do next.

Answer

Alexander Bang picture Alexander Bang · Jul 31, 2018

I have had this problem twice after a windows update. The issue seems to be, that windows adds an incorrect parameter to the WAS service startup parameters. I fixed the issue using the following steps:

  • Start regedit (just type it into start)
  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WAS\Parameters
  • Delete the NanoSetup variable. This variable is preventing WAS from starting
  • Start the WAS service using task manager or by typing "net start WAS" in Command Prompt
  • Start the W3SVC service the same way
  • You can now start your website in IIS again

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