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Vista's IP Helper Service

May 9th, 2007 · 3 Comments · 7,069 views
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ServicesNot to be confused with the IP Helper API, or the IP Helper software, the IP Helper service allows you to use IPv6 features while still on an IPv4 network. Sean Siler, IPv6 Program Manager at Microsoft said “IPHelper is responsible for a lot within the TCP/IP stack and is required for proper operation of the machine…” When I asked if it could be disabled if a user was on a native IPv6 network, he said that IPv4 could be turned off, but “IPHelper will still be required because of the additional roles it plays within the stack”. Despite many sites suggesting you can disable this one, it sounds like you’re likely to encounter problems if you do.

Display Name:
IP Helper
Service Name:
iphlpsvc
Process Name:
svchost.exe
Description:
Provides automatic IPv6 connectivity over an IPv4 network. If this service is stopped, the machine will only have IPv6 connectivity if it is connected to a native IPv6 network.
Path to Executable:
%windir%\system32\svchost.exe -k NetSvcs
Default Startup:
  • Home Basic: Automatic
  • Home Premium: Automatic
  • Business: Automatic
  • Enterprise: Automatic
  • Ultimate: Automatic
Log On As:
Local System Account
Desktop Interaction:
No
Depends On:
  • Network Store Interface Service
  • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
    • DCOM Server Process Launcher
  • Windows Management Instrumentation
    • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
      • DCOM Server Process Launcher
Required For:
None
Memory:
N/A
CPU:
N/A
Do you know something about this service that I don't? Please leave a comment below so I, and everyone else reading this, can benefit from your knowledge!

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Comments

  • Dooges

    Feb 4, 2008 at 2:15 pm

    “IPHelper is responsible for a lot within the TCP/IP stack and is required for proper operation of the machine…�

    That’s kind of vague. Microsoft’s documentation on this service is abysmal. There are enterprises out there that want to know everything about a service before they let it loose on their network.

    What if we’re not using IPv6 at all? Is it still necessary?

  • Joe

    Feb 4, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Good question. It is frustrating trying to find the exact circumstances where these services are needed, and where they truly are not. I would suspect if you don’t use IPv6 at all, you could disable it, but odds are there’s one line of code somewhere that calls it when it’s really not needed, an with it disabled, you’d get some screwed up effect.

  • svchost lover

    Feb 7, 2010 at 8:10 am

    my svchost used to run at 100% CPU usage because of this service whenever i connected to my modem. disabled it and now everything is fine.

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