Windows NAT Driver (WinNat) Service Defaults in Windows 10

This service provides network address translation functionality.

The Windows NAT Driver service does not exist in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Windows NAT Driver
Service name:WinNat
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\winnat.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinNat

Default Behavior

Windows NAT Driver is a kernel device driver. In Windows 10 it is starting only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If Windows NAT Driver fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the WinNat service has failed to start due to the error.

Dependencies

Windows NAT Driver cannot be started under any conditions, if the TCP/IP Protocol Driver service is disabled.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows NAT Driver

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows NAT Driver 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 WinNat start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The WinNat service is using the winnat.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 10 installation media.