The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) service provides network authentication in such scenarios as 802.1x wired and wireless, VPN, and Network Access Protection (NAP). EAP also provides application programming interfaces (APIs) that are used by network access clients, including wireless and VPN clients, during the authentication process. If you disable this service, your computer is prevented from accessing networks that require EAP authentication.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 11, 8, Vista and XP.
Windows 7 edition | without SP | SP1 |
---|---|---|
Starter | Manual | Manual |
Home Basic | Manual | Manual |
Home Premium | Manual | Manual |
Professional | Manual | Manual |
Ultimate | Manual | Manual |
Enterprise | Manual | Manual |
Display name: | Extensible Authentication Protocol |
Service name: | EapHost |
Type: | share |
Path: | %WinDir%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs |
File: | %WinDir%\System32\eapsvc.dll |
Error control: | normal |
Object: | localSystem |
Privileges: |
|
The Extensible Authentication Protocol service runs as localSystem in a shared process. It shares the executable file with other services. If the Extensible Authentication Protocol fails to load or initialize, the error is recorded into the Event Log. Windows 7 startup should proceed, but a message box is displayed informing you that the EapHost service has failed to start.
Extensible Authentication Protocol will not start, if the following services are stopped or disabled:
If the Extensible Authentication Protocol is stopped, the following services will not start and initialize:
1. Select your Windows 7 edition and Service Pack, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreExtensibleAuthenticationProtocolWindows7.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 eapsvc.dll
file exists in the %WinDir%\System32
folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 7 installation media.