Base Filtering Engine (BFE) Service Defaults in Windows 8
The Base Filtering Engine (BFE) is a service that manages firewall and Internet Protocol security (IPsec) policies and implements user mode filtering. Stopping or disabling the BFE service will significantly reduce the security of the system. It will also result in unpredictable behavior in IPsec management and firewall applications.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Automatic |
| Display name: | Base Filtering Engine |
| Service name: | BFE |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | NetworkProvider |
| Object: | NT AUTHORITY\LocalService |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork |
| File: | %SystemRoot%\System32\bfe.dll |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BFE |
| Privileges: |
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Default Behavior
Base Filtering Engine is a Win32 service. In Windows 8 it is starting automatically during the operating system startup. Then the Base Filtering Engine service runs as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService in a process of svchost.exe, sharing it with other services. If Base Filtering Engine fails to start, the error details are added to Windows 8 error log. When the operating system startup is complete, the user is being notified that the BFE service hasn't been started.
Dependencies
Base Filtering Engine can't start, if any service from the list below is disabled or not available:
All the services listed below will not start if Base Filtering Engine is disabled:
- IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
- Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
- IPsec Policy Agent
- Network Connectivity Assistant
- Routing and Remote Access
- Windows Firewall
- Windows Defender Network Inspection System Driver
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Base Filtering Engine
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Base Filtering Engine 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 commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config BFE start= auto
sc start BFE
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The BFE service is using the bfe.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 8 installation media.