Workstation - Windows 8 Service
Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers using the SMB protocol. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. 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 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Pro | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Enterprise | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Workstation |
| Service name: | LanmanWorkstation |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\System32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\wkssvc.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | NetworkProvider |
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
The Workstation service runs as NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other services might run in the same process. If Workstation fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 8 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the LanmanWorkstation service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Workstation won't start, if the following services are stopped or disabled:
- Browser Support Driver
- Network Store Interface Service
- SMB 1.x MiniRedirector
- SMB 2.0 MiniRedirector
The following services are unable to start if Workstation is stopped:
Restore Default Startup Type of Workstation
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 8 release and edition, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreWorkstationWindows8.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 wkssvc.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.