What is "Certificate Propagation" in my Windows XP service list? And how is "Certificate Propagation" service related to certprop.dll?

"Certificate Propagation" is a Windows XP 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." "Certificate Propagation" service is provided by certprop.dll DLL file.

Detailed information on "Certificate Propagation" service:

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

"Certificate Propagation" service is provided by a DLL file called: certprop.dll:

Name: certprop.dll
Location: C:\Windows\System32\certprop.dll
Description: Microsoft Smartcard Certificate Propagation
File version: 6.1.7601.17514
Size: 66.0 KB (67,584 bytes)
Modified: Saturday, November 20, 2010, 7:18:12 AM

Disabling "Certificate Propagation" service may cause issues when running Windows XP system.

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

⇒⇒Windows XP Services Tutorials