Computer Browser - Windows 10 Service
Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
This service also exists in Windows 11, 8, Vista and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows 10 version | Home | Pro | Education | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1507 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 1511 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 1607 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 1703 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 1709 | Manual | Manual | not exists | not exists |
| 1803 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
| 1809 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
| 1903 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
| 1909 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
| 2004 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
| 20H2 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
| 21H1 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
| 21H2 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
| 22H2 | Manual | not exists | not exists | not exists |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Computer Browser |
| Service name: | Browser |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\browser.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | NetworkProvider |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
Default Behavior
The Computer Browser service is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other services might run in the same process. If Computer Browser fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 10 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the Browser service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Computer Browser is unable to start, if at least one of the following services is stopped or disabled:
Restore Default Startup Type of Computer Browser
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 10 edition and release, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreComputerBrowserWindows10.bat file to any folder on your hard drive.
3. Right-click the downloaded batch file and select Run as administrator.
4. Restart the computer to save changes.
Note. Make sure that the browser.dll file exists in the %WinDir%\System32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 10 installation media.