Computer Browser - Windows 8 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 10, 11, 7, Vista and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows 8 edition | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 8.1 Update 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Pro | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Enterprise | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Computer Browser |
| Service name: | Browser |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\browser.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | NetworkProvider |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
Default Behavior
The Computer Browser service runs 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 8 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the Browser service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Computer Browser won't start, if the following services are stopped or disabled:
Restore Default Startup Type of Computer Browser
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 8 release and edition, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreComputerBrowserWindows8.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 browser.dll file exists in the %WinDir%\System32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 8 installation media.