Need Explanation of Web Client in Services

[Chad Harris]

Using Win XP Pro SP2 on this box:

I was looking over services in the MMC that I have started and noticed one that doesn't seem to conform. As with more than a few definitions of Microsoft Services, this definition leaves you wondering just what the definition really is, and what it does:

"Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start."

1) I'm not having any browser problems knock on wood, so that leaves me wondering what a clear definition of the above definition is.
2) Most any other service can be set to Manual or Automatic and started. Not this one. Right clicking it reveals a ghosted out start option even when manual or automatic is selected. I've not seen that. The path to the executable is no help C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService--which of the 4-5 svhost entries in processes this connects to I have no idea.

3) It also has an account on the Logon tab with a password I don't remember setting, and a pulldown with a hardware profile entry.

I'd appreciate if someone could explain what this is for, why I can't start it, if I should start it or if only at certain times then when, and why it is the only service entry whose status is "stopping."

TIA,

Chad Harris

 

[Wesley Vogel]

I have the Web Client service disabled.

WebClient
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...ement/svrxpser_7.mspx#XSLTsection235121120120

WebClient
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm#WebClient

WebClient
http://snakefoot.fateback.com/tweak/winnt/service/wxyz.html#WEBCLIENT

Webdav Client Redirector depends on the Web Client service.
This may be the only thing you'd need the Web Client service for.

Webdav Client Redirector
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...tandard/proddocs/en-us/pub_dav_redirector.asp

[[Real World Description
Truthfully, I haven't been able to locate anyone that can tell me whether
this service is needed or not. I've had it Disabled, Manual, and Automatic
with no conclusive evidence. It's a crapshoot. ]]
http://www.theeldergeek.com/webclient.htm

[[*It's been rumoured that DOT NET may require this service.]]
WebClient
http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm

 

[Chad Harris]

Wes-

Your links and your efforts are always very much appreciated. This isn't
the first time I've looked at the services list and turned a few things on
only to turn them off five minutes later. I keep looking over my shoulder
at Task Manager's processes, trying to keep as few started as possible.


I think a lot of us try to get a handle on these, and if I had a firm grip
on what they did, I'd sure like to rewrite those explanations. As you know,
some entries don't have any explanation when highlighted or properties is
right clicked. Trial and error would be okay, but I think the consequences
of some of them may not show up until they are needed.

As there are more .net applications, you're right, they may require
services that no one was used to starting but .net is one more thing with a
steep learning curve for me. I know that an RSS reader I use needs the .net
framework, and I think BCM for Outlook is MSFT's first ever .net add-in, and
that Office will become very ".net dependent" from what the beta ezines say,
and Longhorn's new Command Shell will require a .net framework more advanced
than the one on the public site.

Thanks,

Chad Harris
_________________________________________________________

I have the Web Client service disabled.

WebClient
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...ement/svrxpser_7.mspx#XSLTsection235121120120

WebClient
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm#WebClient

WebClient
http://snakefoot.fateback.com/tweak/winnt/service/wxyz.html#WEBCLIENT

Webdav Client Redirector depends on the Web Client service.
This may be the only thing you'd need the Web Client service for.

Webdav Client Redirector
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...tandard/proddocs/en-us/pub_dav_redirector.asp

[[Real World Description
Truthfully, I haven't been able to locate anyone that can tell me whether
this service is needed or not. I've had it Disabled, Manual, and Automatic
with no conclusive evidence. It's a crapshoot. ]]
http://www.theeldergeek.com/webclient.htm

[[*It's been rumoured that DOT NET may require this service.]]
WebClient
http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In

Using Win XP Pro SP2 on this box:

I was looking over services in the MMC that I have started and
noticed one that doesn't seem to conform. As with more than a few
definitions of Microsoft Services, this definition leaves you
wondering just what the definition really is, and what it does:

"Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify
Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions
will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that
explicitly depend on it will fail to start."

1) I'm not having any browser problems knock on wood, so that leaves
me wondering what a clear definition of the above definition is.
2) Most any other service can be set to Manual or Automatic and
started. Not this one. Right clicking it reveals a ghosted out start
option even when manual or automatic is selected. I've not seen
that. The path to the executable is no help
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService--which of the 4-5
svhost entries in processes this connects to I have no idea.

3) It also has an account on the Logon tab with a password I don't
remember setting, and a pulldown with a hardware profile entry.

I'd appreciate if someone could explain what this is for, why I can't
start it, if I should start it or if only at certain times then when,
and why it is the only service entry whose status is "stopping."

TIA,

Chad Harris

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Chad,

Those short service explanations are right out of the registry...
i.e.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient
Value Name: Description
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: [[Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify
Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not
be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly
depend on it will fail to start.]] Big deal!!

You can see why they aren't more descriptive. I really can't believe that's
stored in the registry.

I've been disabling and enabling services ever since I first got XP. I just
make better notes now than when I first started. ;-)

I don't care for any of that .net and dcom crap.

I have all dcom crap either disabled or uninstalled. I have a .net passport
that I had to get for something in the MVP program and if I hadn't written
the password down, I'd never know what it was. That's all I need is
another password.

Every time I open a jpeg there's a dcom error in the Event Viewer, couldn't
start the stisvc service. No shert Shitlock, it's disabled. What on earth
do I need the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service to run for to open a
jpeg? I don't have a digital camera and my scanner is out in the garage
because there aren't any XP drivers available for it.

Oh well. About the time I have XP figured out it will no longer be
supported.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In

Wes-

Your links and your efforts are always very much appreciated. This
isn't the first time I've looked at the services list and turned a
few things on only to turn them off five minutes later. I keep
looking over my shoulder at Task Manager's processes, trying to keep
as few started as possible.


I think a lot of us try to get a handle on these, and if I had a firm
grip on what they did, I'd sure like to rewrite those explanations.
As you know, some entries don't have any explanation when highlighted
or properties is right clicked. Trial and error would be okay, but
I think the consequences of some of them may not show up until they
are needed.

As there are more .net applications, you're right, they may require
services that no one was used to starting but .net is one more thing
with a steep learning curve for me. I know that an RSS reader I use
needs the .net framework, and I think BCM for Outlook is MSFT's first
ever .net add-in, and that Office will become very ".net dependent"
from what the beta ezines say, and Longhorn's new Command Shell will
require a .net framework more advanced than the one on the public
site.

Thanks,

Chad Harris
_________________________________________________________

I have the Web Client service disabled.

WebClient
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...ement/svrxpser_7.mspx#XSLTsection235121120120

WebClient
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm#WebClient

WebClient
http://snakefoot.fateback.com/tweak/winnt/service/wxyz.html#WEBCLIENT

Webdav Client Redirector depends on the Web Client service.
This may be the only thing you'd need the Web Client service for.

Webdav Client Redirector
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...tandard/proddocs/en-us/pub_dav_redirector.asp

[[Real World Description
Truthfully, I haven't been able to locate anyone that can tell me
whether this service is needed or not. I've had it Disabled, Manual,
and Automatic with no conclusive evidence. It's a crapshoot. ]]
http://www.theeldergeek.com/webclient.htm

[[*It's been rumoured that DOT NET may require this service.]]
WebClient
http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In

Using Win XP Pro SP2 on this box:

I was looking over services in the MMC that I have started and
noticed one that doesn't seem to conform. As with more than a few
definitions of Microsoft Services, this definition leaves you
wondering just what the definition really is, and what it does:

"Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify
Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions
will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services
that explicitly depend on it will fail to start."

1) I'm not having any browser problems knock on wood, so that leaves
me wondering what a clear definition of the above definition is.
2) Most any other service can be set to Manual or Automatic and
started. Not this one. Right clicking it reveals a ghosted out
start option even when manual or automatic is selected. I've not
seen that. The path to the executable is no help
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService--which of the 4-5
svhost entries in processes this connects to I have no idea.

3) It also has an account on the Logon tab with a password I don't
remember setting, and a pulldown with a hardware profile entry.

I'd appreciate if someone could explain what this is for, why I
can't start it, if I should start it or if only at certain times
then when, and why it is the only service entry whose status is
"stopping."

TIA,

Chad Harris