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WINDOWS SERVICE

lmhosts: TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper

Provides support for the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution for clients on the network, which lets users share files, print and sign in to the network.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Service namelmhosts
Display nameTCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Runs fromC:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
Command linesvchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p
Runs asLocalService
VerdictDepends on what you use
Microsoft, Windows Server 2016 guidanceNo guidance

Paths, signer and service account observed on Windows 11 build 26300 on 12 November 2026. Run the commands below to check your own PC.

Should you touch it?

Depends on what you use

Microsoft states that if it is stopped these functions might become unavailable, and that services which explicitly depend on it cannot start if it is disabled. Its guidance for fixed-purpose Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise devices rates it OK to disable. If devices on your network share files or printers through NetBIOS names, leave it. On the PC used for this page it was Manual, with a trigger registered, and running.

What PC Tweaker does with it

PC Tweaker does not change this service. No control in the catalogue stops it, disables it or edits its start type.

Check it yourself

  1. See its state and start type

    Get-Service lmhosts | Format-List Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType
sc qc lmhosts
    PowerShell

  2. Let it start only when needed (administrator)

    Note the START_TYPE that sc qc printed first, so you can put it back.

    sc config lmhosts start= demand
    cmd

  3. Put it back

    Use the start type you noted.

    sc config lmhosts start= <auto|delayed-auto|demand>
    cmd

Common questions

What does the lmhosts service do?

Provides support for the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution for clients on the network, which lets users share files, print and sign in to the network. It runs C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe (svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p) as LocalService.

Can I disable lmhosts?

Depends on what you use. Microsoft states that if it is stopped these functions might become unavailable, and that services which explicitly depend on it cannot start if it is disabled. Its guidance for fixed-purpose Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise devices rates it OK to disable. If devices on your network share files or printers through NetBIOS names, leave it. On the PC used for this page it was Manual, with a trigger registered, and running.

What stops working without TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper?

Microsoft names what is at stake: sharing files, printing and signing in to the network through NetBIOS name resolution might become unavailable. We know of no published measurement showing a speed benefit from disabling it.

How do I check that it is the real service?

On Windows 11 build 26300 it is registered as svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p, runs as LocalService and depends on Afd. sc qc lmhosts prints the same on your PC.