WebClient Service Defaults in Windows 11
Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | WebClient |
| Service name: | WebClient |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | NetworkProvider |
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\LocalService |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService -p |
| File: | %SystemRoot%\System32\webclnt.dll |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
WebClient is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the WebClient service is started, it logs on as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If WebClient fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the WebClient service startup failure.
Dependencies
WebClient cannot be started, if the WebDav Client Redirector Driver service won't start.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of WebClient
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which WebClient 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 WebClient start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The WebClient service is using the webclnt.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 11 installation media.