AFD Service Defaults in Windows XP

AFD Networking Support Environment.

Default Settings

Startup type:

Windows XP Home	Automatic
Windows XP Professional	Automatic
Windows XP Home SP1	Automatic
Windows XP Professional SP1	Automatic
Windows XP Home SP2	System
Windows XP Professional SP2	System
Windows XP Home SP3	System
Windows XP Professional SP3	System

Display name:

AFD

Service name:

AFD

Service type:

kernel

Error control:

normal

Group:

TDI

Path:

%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\afd.sys

Registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AFD

Default Behavior

AFD is a kernel device driver. It is starting automatically along with the operating system in all editions of Windows XP SP0, Windows XP SP1. This service is starting right at Kernel initialization in all editions of Windows XP SP2, Windows XP SP3.

If the AFD fails to start, the technical information about the error is added to the Event Log. Windows XP startup should proceed, but a message box should be displayed informing the user that the AFD service has failed to start.

Dependencies

The following components depend on AFD:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of AFD

1. Run the Command Prompt.

2. Depending on the version of your operating system, copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER.

For Windows XP SP0 Home, Windows XP SP0 Professional, Windows XP SP1 Home, Windows XP SP1 Professional:
sc config AFD start= auto
sc start AFD

For Windows XP SP2 Home, Windows XP SP2 Professional, Windows XP SP3 Home, Windows XP SP3 Professional:
sc config AFD start= system
sc start AFD

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The AFD service is using the afd.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 XP installation media.