Windows Event ID 10010 – DistributedCOM: DCOM Server Process Launcher Access Denied

Start by examining the complete Event ID 10010 details to identify the specific failing component and user context.

1. Open Event Viewer by pressing Win + R, typing eventvwr.msc, and pressing Enter
2. Navigate to Windows Logs → System
3. Filter for Event ID 10010 by right-clicking System → Filter Current Log → Enter 10010 in Event IDs field
4. Double-click the most recent Event ID 10010 entry to view full details
5. Note the Application ID (AppID) and Class ID (CLSID) from the event description
6. Record the user account mentioned in the error message

Use PowerShell to query recent DCOM errors:

Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='System'; Id=10010} -MaxEvents 5 | Format-List TimeCreated, Id, LevelDisplayName, Message

Modify DCOM permissions for the failing application to resolve access denied errors.

1. Press Win + R, type dcomcnfg.exe, and press Enter to open Component Services
2. Navigate to Component Services → Computers → My Computer → DCOM Config
3. Locate the application corresponding to the AppID from Event ID 10010
4. Right-click the application → Properties → Security tab
5. Under Launch and Activation Permissions, click Edit
6. Add the user account or service account experiencing the error
7. Grant Local Launch, Remote Launch, Local Activation, and Remote Activation permissions
8. Click OK and repeat for Access Permissions and Authentication Level if needed
9. Restart the affected service or reboot the system

Verify DCOM configuration using PowerShell:

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_DCOMApplication | Where-Object {$_.AppID -like "*your-app-id*"} | Select-Object Name, AppID, AuthenticationLevel

Rebuild corrupted DCOM configuration entries that may be causing Event ID 10010.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Stop dependent services first:

net stop winmgmt /y
net stop cryptsvc
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv

3. Re-register DCOM components:

regsvr32 /s ole32.dll
regsvr32 /s oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 /s actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 /s scrrun.dll
regsvr32 /s msxml3.dll
regsvr32 /s msxml6.dll

4. Reset DCOM permissions to defaults:

cd /d %windir%\system32
regsvr32 /s /i comcat.dll
regsvr32 /s /i initpki.dll

5. Restart the stopped services:

net start winmgmt
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start wuauserv

6. Reboot the system and check if Event ID 10010 persists

Examine and correct service account privileges that may be causing DCOM launch failures.

1. Open Services console by pressing Win + R, typing services.msc, and pressing Enter
2. Identify services related to the failing AppID from Event ID 10010
3. Right-click the service → Properties → Log On tab
4. Note the account used for the service (Local System, Network Service, or specific user)
5. Open Local Security Policy by typing secpol.msc in Run dialog
6. Navigate to Local Policies → User Rights Assignment
7. Verify the service account has these rights:
• Log on as a service (SeServiceLogonRight)
• Act as part of the operating system (if using Local System)
• Impersonate a client after authentication (SeImpersonatePrivilege)
8. Double-click each policy and add the service account if missing
9. Restart the service and monitor for Event ID 10010

Check service account permissions using PowerShell:

Get-Service | Where-Object {$_.Status -eq 'Running'} | ForEach-Object {
    $service = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service -Filter "Name='$($_.Name)'"
    [PSCustomObject]@{
        ServiceName = $_.Name
        StartName = $service.StartName
        State = $_.Status
    }
} | Format-Table -AutoSize

Perform comprehensive system repairs when DCOM issues persist after basic troubleshooting.

1. Create a full system backup before proceeding
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
3. Run System File Checker to repair corrupted system files:

sfc /scannow

4. Check and repair Windows image integrity:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

5. Reset WMI repository if DCOM errors involve WMI components:

net stop winmgmt /y
winmgmt /resetrepository
net start winmgmt

6. Rebuild DCOM registry entries:

cd /d %windir%\system32
regsvr32 /s comsvcs.dll
regsvr32 /s es.dll
regsvr32 /s clusapi.dll

7. Reset Windows Update components if affected:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

8. Reboot the system and monitor Event Viewer for Event ID 10010 resolution