Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) - Windows 11 Service
Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 7, 8, Vista and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows 11 version | Home | Pro | Education | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 22H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 23H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 24H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) |
| Service name: | SharedAccess |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\ipnathlp.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
The Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other services might run in the same process. If Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 11 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the SharedAccess service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is unable to start, if the Base Filtering Engine service is stopped or disabled.
Restore Default Startup Type for Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 11 edition and release, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreInternetConnectionSharingICSWindows11.bat file to any folder on a local drive such as SSD or a hard disk.
3. Right-click the downloaded batch file and select Properties.
4. Check the Unblock checkbox and click OK.
5. Right-click the batch file again and select Run as administrator.
6. Restart the computer to save changes.
Note. Make sure that the ipnathlp.dll file exists in the %WinDir%\System32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 11 installation media.