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WINDOWS SERVICE

WinRM: Windows Remote Management (WS-Management)

Implements the WS-Management protocol for remote management. It listens on the network for WS-Management requests once a listener has been configured with winrm.cmd or Group Policy, and it provides access to WMI data and event collection.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Service nameWinRM
Display nameWindows Remote Management (WS-Management)
Runs fromC:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
Command linesvchost.exe -k NetworkService -p
Runs asNetworkService
VerdictDepends on what you use
Microsoft, Windows Server 2016 guidanceDo not disable

Paths, signer and service account observed on Windows 11 build 26300 on 9 November 2026. Run the commands below to check your own PC.

Should you touch it?

Depends on what you use

It matters on a PC that is managed remotely, and Microsoft's Windows Server guidance is not to disable it because it is needed for remote management. The service does not listen over the network until a listener is configured. On our Windows 11 test PC its start type is Manual.

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

  3. Put it back

    Use the start type you noted.

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

Common questions

What does the WinRM service do?

Implements the WS-Management protocol for remote management. It listens on the network for WS-Management requests once a listener has been configured with winrm.cmd or Group Policy, and it provides access to WMI data and event collection. It runs C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe (svchost.exe -k NetworkService -p) as NetworkService.

Can I disable WinRM?

Depends on what you use. It matters on a PC that is managed remotely, and Microsoft's Windows Server guidance is not to disable it because it is needed for remote management. The service does not listen over the network until a listener is configured. On our Windows 11 test PC its start type is Manual.