Computer Browser Service Defaults in Windows 8
Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | Computer Browser |
| Service name: | Browser |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | NetworkProvider |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs |
| File: | %SystemRoot%\System32\browser.dll |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser |
Default Behavior
Computer Browser is a Win32 service. In Windows 8 it will not be started until the user starts it. When the Computer Browser service is started, it runs as LocalSystem in a process of svchost.exe, sharing it with other services. If Computer Browser 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 Browser service hasn't been started.
Dependencies
Computer Browser can't start, if any service from the list below is disabled or not available:
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Computer Browser
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Computer Browser 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 Browser start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The Browser service is using the browser.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.