The genuine wmpnetwk.exe file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft Corporation. "Wmpnetwk.exe" is a service active on any Windows computer having Windows Media Player (WMP) 11 or 12, with "Media Sharing" enabled. It has no visible window. It is the WMP Network Sharing Service (NSS), (service name "WMPNetworkSvc"). It is in "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\". (On 64-bit systems the 32-bit version of WMP in "C:\Program Files(x86)\Windows Media Player\" runs by default; changing this default requires complex registry editing.) The NSS receives and fulfills network or Internet media library sharing requests from other WMP-equipped computers (or Xbox 360 or mobile devices) via Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). It uses registry settings to tell the firewall which ports it needs. "Wmpnscfg.exe", (which has a "Run" or "RunOnce" startup entry), launches it even if WMP is inactive. If NSS detects a new device, it signals "wmpnscfg", which can start WMP to set up sharing to it.
WMPNetwk stands for Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the wmpnetwk.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: Wmpnetwk.exe is an important part of Windows, but often causes problems. Wmpnetwk.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files"—common is C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\.
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 1,525,248 bytes (51% of all occurrences), 1,121,792 bytes and 28 more variants.
It runs as service WMPNetworkSvc. The service shares Windows Media Player libraries to other networked players and media devices using Universal Plug and Play.
The program has no visible window. It is a Microsoft signed file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 6% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
If there are any problems with wmpnetwk.exe, you can also visit the vendor's support site or completely remove Windows Media Format 11 runtime (Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program).
If wmpnetwk.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 59% dangerous. The file size is 331,264 bytes (60% of all occurrences), 329,728 bytes, 16,896 bytes or 1,525,248 bytes.
Wmpnetwk.exe is an unknown file in the Windows folder. It is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. The process has no file description.
Wmpnetwk.exe is able to monitor applications.
If wmpnetwk.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 56% dangerous. The file size is 400,896 bytes (14% of all occurrences), 129,024 bytes and 5 more variants.
The application has no file description. The file is not a Windows system file. The program is not visible.
Wmpnetwk.exe is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as wmpnetwk.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, for example Trojan.Gen.2 or SecurityRisk.BL (detected by Symantec), and Bitcoin Miner (PUA) (detected by Sophos). Therefore, you should check the wmpnetwk.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
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User Comments
I use Hijack this and it helps me find unwanted .exe files. In fact, that's how I found this file. This Windows media player just streams,takes up space that's all Gusto (further information)
It works overtime while cataloging your files, it will back off if when you run a program and use up all resources when your computer goes idle. Steve
really slows up systems. microsoft should fix it. steven
To stop go into services, find "Windows Media Player Network sharing Service", right-click = Properties; set to manual start. It seems to start automatically after WMP has been used. Maybe only real solution is to get rid of WMP, I dunno. Tom
Uses more resources then it probably should. Andrew.
I learn how to stop it from using process on your task manager '' go to control uninstall a program. go to window essentials 2012 '' tab that will ask you remove or repair'' tab repair'' then go to your task manager and see a steady 0. with the wmpnetwk. joezip
Summary: Average user rating of wmpnetwk.exe:
based on 164 votes with 9 user comments.
71 users think wmpnetwk.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
17 users think it's probably harmless.
30 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
19 users suspect danger.
27 users think wmpnetwk.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
21 users don't grade wmpnetwk.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving wmpnetwk issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with wmpnetwk. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the wmpnetwk.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
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User Comments
Gusto (further information)
Steve
steven
UHR_25 (further information)
Tom
Andrew.
joezip
Mis
(further information)
Summary: Average user rating of wmpnetwk.exe: based on 164 votes with 9 user comments. 71 users think wmpnetwk.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 17 users think it's probably harmless. 30 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 19 users suspect danger. 27 users think wmpnetwk.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 21 users don't grade wmpnetwk.exe ("not sure about it").