Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock - Windows 8 Service
Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 11, 7, Vista and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows 8 edition | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 8.1 Update 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | System | System | System |
| Pro | System | System | System |
| Enterprise | System | System | System |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock |
| Service name: | AFD |
| Type: | kernel |
| Path: | %WinDir%\system32\drivers\afd.sys |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | PNP_TDI |
Default Behavior
The Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock service is a kernel mode driver. If Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 8 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the AFD service has failed to start.
Dependencies
The following services are unable to start if Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock is stopped:
- DHCP Client
- HomeGroup Provider
- Network Connected Devices Auto-Setup
- Network List Service
- Network Location Awareness
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
- WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service
Restore Default Startup Type of Ancillary Function Driver for Winsock
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 8 release and edition, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreAncillaryFunctionDriverforWinsockWindows8.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.
Note. Make sure that the afd.sys file exists in the %WinDir%\system32\drivers folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 8 installation media.