Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) - Windows Vista Service
Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 11, 7, 8 and XP.
Startup Type
| Windows Vista edition | without SP | SP1 | SP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Home Basic | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Home Premium | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Business | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
| Ultimate | Disabled | Disabled | Disabled |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) |
| Service name: | SharedAccess |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\ipnathlp.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
The Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service starts as LocalSystem and runs in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) 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 SharedAccess service has failed to start.
Dependencies
The Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service won't start, if the following system components are stopped or disabled:
- Base Filtering Engine
- Network Connections
- Remote Access Connection Manager
- Windows Management Instrumentation
Restore Default Startup Type of Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows Vista edition and Service Pack, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreInternetConnectionSharingICSWindowsVista.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 ipnathlp.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.