KernelStart

KernelStart is a system process primarily associated with the Windows operating system. Its main function is to initiate and manage the early stages of the operating system's boot process, specifically related to the kernel. When a computer is powered on, the BIOS or UEFI performs initial hardware checks and then loads the bootloader. The bootloader's role is to locate and load the Windows kernel into memory. This is where KernelStart plays a crucial part.

KernelStart is responsible for setting up the core components of the operating system, including the kernel itself, the hardware abstraction layer (HAL), and the kernel debugger if it is enabled. It initializes essential kernel data structures, prepares the memory management system, and starts the process of loading device drivers. This allows the operating system to interact with the computer's hardware. Without KernelStart, the Windows kernel would not be able to properly initialize, and the operating system would fail to boot. It is a fundamental, low-level component that operates before most other user-mode processes become active. Its activity is confined to the very beginning of the system startup sequence.