What is the "Certificate Propagation (CertPropSvc)" system service on Windows Server 2012? Can I disable "Certificate Propagation"?

"Certificate Propagation (CertPropSvc)" is a Windows Server 2012 service that copies user certificates and root certificates from smart cards into the current user's certificate store, detects when a smart card is inserted into a smart card reader, and, if needed, installs the smart card Plug and Play minidriver.

Detailed information on "Certificate Propagation" service:

Service name: CertPropSvc
Display name: Certificate Propagation
Execution command: 
   C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Dependencies:
   Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

"Certificate Propagation" service is provided by the svchost.exe program, see "svchost.exe Executable Program on Windows Server 2012" for details.

Disabling "Certificate Propagation" service will not cause any issues on running Windows 2012 Server. If you are not using smart cards with certificates on the system, you can disable "Certificate Propagation" to improve system performance and security.

⇒List of Services on Windows Server 2012

⇒⇒Windows Server 2012 Tutorials