Computer Browser - Windows Vista 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, 8 and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows Vista edition | without SP | SP1 | SP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Home Basic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Home Premium | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Business | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Ultimate | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
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 starts as LocalSystem and runs in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Computer Browser fails to start, the error is recorded into the Event Log. Windows Vista startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the Browser service has failed to start.
Dependencies
The Computer Browser service won't start, if the following system components are stopped or disabled:
Restore Default Startup Type of Computer Browser
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows Vista edition and Service Pack, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreComputerBrowserWindowsVista.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 browser.dll file exists in the %WinDir%\System32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows Vista installation media.