Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) (SharedAccess) Service Defaults in Windows 10

Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Service name:SharedAccess
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\ipnathlp.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess
Privileges:
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeLoadDriverPrivilege
  • SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege

Default Behavior

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is a Win32 service. In Windows 10 it is starting only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service is started, it is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe along with other services. If Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the SharedAccess service has failed to start due to the error.

Dependencies

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) cannot be started under any conditions, if the following services are disabled, deleted or working improperly:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config SharedAccess start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The SharedAccess service is using the ipnathlp.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 10 installation media.