WINDOWS SERVICE
WMPNetworkSvc: Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
Shares Windows Media Player libraries to other networked players and media devices using Universal Plug and Play.
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
| Service name | WMPNetworkSvc |
|---|---|
| Display name | Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service |
| Runs from | C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe |
| Command line | wmpnetwk.exe |
| Runs as | NetworkService |
| Signed by | Microsoft Windows |
| Verdict | Depends 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 useMicrosoft's guidance for fixed-purpose Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise devices rates it OK to disable. If you share your Windows Media Player library with other players or media devices, leave it; if you never do, it is not needed. Its default startup type is Manual: on the PC used for this page it was 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
See its state and start type
PowerShellGet-Service WMPNetworkSvc | Format-List Name, DisplayName, Status, StartType sc qc WMPNetworkSvcLet it start only when needed (administrator)
Note the START_TYPE that sc qc printed first, so you can put it back.
cmdsc config WMPNetworkSvc start= demandPut it back
Use the start type you noted.
cmdsc config WMPNetworkSvc start= <auto|delayed-auto|demand>
Common questions
What does the WMPNetworkSvc service do?
Shares Windows Media Player libraries to other networked players and media devices using Universal Plug and Play. It runs C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (wmpnetwk.exe) as NetworkService.
Can I disable WMPNetworkSvc?
Depends on what you use. Microsoft's guidance for fixed-purpose Windows 10 and 11 IoT Enterprise devices rates it OK to disable. If you share your Windows Media Player library with other players or media devices, leave it; if you never do, it is not needed. Its default startup type is Manual: on the PC used for this page it was stopped.
What does WMPNetworkSvc depend on?
On Windows 11 build 26300 it depends on the HTTP driver and on WSearch (Windows Search). That matters if Windows Search is disabled: Microsoft notes that a service which explicitly depends on a disabled service cannot start.
How do I check that it is the real service?
On build 26300 the service runs C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe as NetworkService, and the file carries a valid Microsoft Windows signature. sc qc WMPNetworkSvc prints the path on your PC.