title: The Windows Process Activation Service could not be started. Error 2
body: <p>After a windows update I am unable to start IIS. </p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Cannot start service W3SVC on computer.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>When trying to start this service from CMD I find that a dependency service or group failed to start. That being the WAS (Windows Process Activation Service).</p>
  
  <p>When trying to start this in CMD I get the following error.</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>The Windows Process Activation Service service could not be started.</p>
    
    <p>A system error has occurred.</p>
    
    <p>System error 2 has occurred.</p>
    
    <p>The system cannot find the file specified.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I have tried the following:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Reinstalled IIS and Windows Process Activation Service, several times</li>
  <li>I verified that I do have a "C:\inetpub\temp\appPools" folder</li>
  <li>Removed all files in config files in C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\Config and then clean re installed IIS to get the clean configs.</li>
  <li>Insured both WAS and W3SVC services are set to automatic and rebooted.</li>
  <li>Checked that HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HTTP start is set to 3(automatic) and the is no “NoRun” key</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Is there anything else to check?</p>