Extensible Authentication Protocol - Windows Vista Service
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, 7, 8 and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows Vista edition | without SP | SP1 | SP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Home Basic | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Home Premium | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Business | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Ultimate | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Default Properties
| 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: |
|
Default Behavior
The Extensible Authentication Protocol service starts as localSystem and runs in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Extensible Authentication Protocol 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 EapHost service has failed to start. If you disable this service, then 2 other services will be unable to start (see the "Dependencies" section below).
Dependencies
The Extensible Authentication Protocol service won't start, if the following system components are stopped or disabled:
If the Extensible Authentication Protocol is stopped, the following services will not start and initialize:
Restore Default Startup Type of Extensible Authentication Protocol
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows Vista edition and Service Pack, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreExtensibleAuthenticationProtocolWindowsVista.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 Vista installation media.