What is "Cryptographic Services" in my Windows XP service list? And how is "Cryptographic Services" service related to cryptsvc.dll?

"Cryptographic Services" is a Windows XP service that "Provides four management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files and allows new programs to be installed; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; Automatic Root Certificate Update Service, which retrieves root certificates from Windows Update and enable scenarios such as SSL; and Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start." "Cryptographic Services" service is provided by cryptsvc.dll DLL file.

Detailed information on "Cryptographic Services" service:

Service name: CryptSvc
Display name: Cryptographic Services
Execution command: C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService
Start type: Automatic
Service status: Started
Dependencies:
   Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

"Cryptographic Services" service is provided by a DLL file called: cryptsvc.dll:

Name: cryptsvc.dll
Location: C:\Windows\System32\cryptsvc.dll
Description: Cryptographic Services
File version: 6.1.7601.17514
Size: 133 KB (136,192 bytes)
Modified: Saturday, November 20, 2010, 7:18:24 AM

Disabling "Cryptographic Services" service may cause issues when running Windows XP system.

⇒"svchost.exe -k NetworkService" Services on Windows XP

⇒⇒Windows XP Services Tutorials