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The Windows Remote Manager (WinRM) service doesn't start after you uninstall WinRM 2.0

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This article provides a resolution for the issue that Windows Remote Manager (WinRM) service doesn't start after you uninstall WinRM 2.0.

Applies to:   Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 10 - all editions
Original KB number:   974504

Symptoms

You uninstall Windows Remote Manager 2.0 (WinRM) from a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista. When you try to start the WinRM service by using the net start winrm command, the WinRM service doesn't start, and you receive an "Access Denied" error.

Cause

This issue occurs when you uninstall WinRM 2.0, and there was an existing WinRM listener on port 5985.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.

Restore the WinRM configuration

To restore the WinRM configuration to its default state, follow these steps:

  1. Open a Command Prompt window.

  2. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

    winrm quickconfig

Delete the WinRM listener on port 5985

  1. Open a Command Prompt window.

  2. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

    winrm enumerate winrm/config/listener

    It enumerates all listeners that WinRM currently uses.

  3. Locate the listener that has the following parameters and values:

    • Port=5985
    • Transport=HTTP

  4. Note the value that is listed for the listener's Address parameter.

  5. Type the following command, and then press ENTER:
    winrm delete winrm/config/Listener?Address= Address +Transport=HTTP
    In this command, the Address placeholder is the value that you noted in step 4.