Windows Certificate Propagation Service
The Windows Certificate Propagation Service is a component of the Windows operating system that enables users to log in to their computer with Smart Cards (same family as NFC tags). Very few companies and almost no individuals use this feature of Windows. When the service is running, it disrupts the communication to the NFC reader, making the NFC software unusable. On Windows if the service is running and an NFC tag is placed on the NFC device, you will hear a Windows beep (not a beep from the hardware); this is Windows trying to install a smart card device and indicative that the service needs to be stopped.
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Stopping the Windows Certificate Propagation Service
There are two ways to stop the service:
- Manually stop and disable the service in the Services control panel (video)
- Use Group Policy to prevent the service from starting again