Event 10016 Error

Some users upgraded to Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607) has reported that there
are multiple entries of logs with error 10016 for DistributedCOM activities under Event Viewer.
Following is the error description for this case:

The application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM
Server application with CLSID {8D8F4F83-3594-4F07-8369-FC3C3CAE4919} and APPID {F72671A9-
012C-4725-9D2F-2A4D32D65169} to the user NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM SID (S-1-5-18) from address
LocalHost (Using LRPC) running in the application container Unavailable SID (Unavailable). This
security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

As it is clearly evident from the error description that the SYSTEM object (NT AUTHORITY\
SYSTEM) is missing Local Activation permissions for application with ID {F72671A9-012C-
4725-9D2F-2A4D32D65169}. It prevents the application activities from being executed. The
description also provides us very helpful hint to solve this error and that is to allot missing
permissions to SYSTEM object by using Components Services tool.
FIX : Event 10016 Error, The Application-Specific Permission Settings Do Not Grant Local
Activation Permission In Windows 10

1. Press + R and put regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Editor (if you’re not
familiar with Registry Editor, then click here). Click OK.

2. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to following registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{F72671A9-012C-4725-9D2F-2A4D32D65169}

3. Right click on the {F72671A9-012C-4725-9D2F-2A4D32D65169} key and select

Permissions. On the Permissions window shown below, hit Advanced button.
4. Moving on, you’ll see that in Advanced Security Settings for key, the current owner is
TrustedInstaller. Click on Change link there and take ownership using steps mentioned here.
5. After taking ownership, you’ll be back to Permissions sheet shown below where you’ve to
select your account and then SYSTEM under Group or user names section and then check the
Allow box against Full Control. By doing this, you’re providing full control to yourself and
SYSTEM to manage the registry key and its activities. Click Apply followed by OK.
6. In the similar way, take the ownership of following key and give full control on permissions to
yourself and SYSTEM, for it:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{8D8F4F83-3594-4F07-8369-FC3C3CAE4919}
7. Press + R and put dcomcnfg in Run dialog box and hit Enter key to open Component
Services.

8. In Component Services window, navigate to Console Root > Components Services > My
Computer > DCOM Config and click View > Details. Now scroll down and locate
{F72671A9-012C-4725-9D2F-2A4D32D65169} Application ID. Right click on it and select
Properties.
9. Next, in the property sheet, switch to Security tab. Under Launch and Activation
Permissions section, choose Customize. Then click Edit.
10. Now in Launch and Activation Permission window, click Add button.
11. On Select Users or Group, type the object name as SYSTEM and click Check Names. Your
type SYSTEM will now be underlined and linked to SYSTEM object. Click OK.

12. Back in Launch and Activation Permission window, select SYSTEM under Group or user
names section. Now check the Allow box for Local Launch and Local Activation. Click OK.
Close Components Services and Registry Editor.
You can now reboot your machine. After multiple restarts and some hours/days, you’ll find that
event error 10016 no longer occurs.