Windows NAT Driver (WinNat) Service Defaults in Windows 11
This service provides network address translation functionality.
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 driver. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If Windows NAT Driver fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the WinNat service startup failure.
Dependencies
Windows NAT Driver cannot be started, if the TCP/IP Protocol Driver service won't start.
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 11 installation media.