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WINDOWS SERVICE

wcncsvc: Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar

Hosts the Windows Connect Now Configuration, Microsoft's implementation of the Wireless Protected Setup (WPS) protocol. It is used to configure wireless LAN settings for an access point or a wireless device.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Service namewcncsvc
Display nameWindows Connect Now - Config Registrar
Runs fromC:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
Command linesvchost.exe -k LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation -p
Runs asLocalService
VerdictDepends on what you use

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's guidance for fixed-purpose Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise devices rates it OK to disable, and says the service is started programmatically as needed. If you never set up an access point or a wireless device with WPS from this PC, it is not needed. On the PC used for this page it was set to Manual and stopped.

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 wcncsvc | Format-List Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType
sc qc wcncsvc
    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 wcncsvc start= demand
    cmd

  3. Put it back

    Use the start type you noted.

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

Common questions

What is its normal startup type?

Microsoft's list gives Automatic as the default and adds that the service is started programmatically as needed. On Windows 11 build 26300 it was registered as Manual and stopped. There it runs under svchost.exe -k LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation -p as LocalService, loads C:\Windows\System32\wcncsvc.dll, signed by Microsoft Windows, and depends on RpcSs.

What does the wcncsvc service do?

Hosts the Windows Connect Now Configuration, Microsoft's implementation of the Wireless Protected Setup (WPS) protocol. It is used to configure wireless LAN settings for an access point or a wireless device. It runs C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe (svchost.exe -k LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation -p) as LocalService.

Can I disable wcncsvc?

Depends on what you use. Microsoft's guidance for fixed-purpose Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise devices rates it OK to disable, and says the service is started programmatically as needed. If you never set up an access point or a wireless device with WPS from this PC, it is not needed. On the PC used for this page it was set to Manual and stopped.

Is wcncsvc the same as wscsvc?

No, the names only look alike. wcncsvc is Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar, which Microsoft describes as its implementation of Wireless Protected Setup. wscsvc is Security Center, the service that monitors and reports the PC's security health settings, and Microsoft rates that one Don't disable.