IP Network Address Translator (IPNAT) Service Defaults in Windows 7

IP Network Address Translator by Microsoft Corporation.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:IP Network Address Translator
Service name:IPNAT
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\ipnat.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\IPNAT

Default Behavior

IP Network Address Translator is a kernel device driver. In Windows 7 it won't be started if the user doesn't start it. If IP Network Address Translator fails to start, Windows 7 attempts to write the failure details into Event Log. Then Windows 7 startup should proceed and the user should be notified that the IPNAT service is not running because of the error.

Dependencies

IP Network Address Translator is unable to start, if the TCP/IP Protocol Driver service is stopped or disabled.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of IP Network Address Translator

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which IP Network Address Translator 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 IPNAT start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The IPNAT service is using the ipnat.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 7 installation media.