Wmpnetwk.exe is a service that uses Universal Plug and Play to share the Windows Media Player library with other networked players and media gadgets. It is an executable system file built by Microsoft Corporation and belongs to the Windows operating system. In this article, we’ll discuss more about what wmpnetwk.exe is and why it’s running on your computer. Read on to find out…
Wmpnetwk.exe is a Windows service belonging to Microsoft. It is used to automatically share the Windows Media Library with networked players and other media devices, especially those using Universal Plug and Play.
The full wmpnetwk.exe stands for Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service. By default, this process is widely used on all Windows OS computers.It is located C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player in your computer.
Wmpnetwk.exe manages the Windows Media Player library on Windows 10 and earlier (up to Windows XP). Usually, program files run 24/7, so even if you’re not using Windows Media Player, they can use up a lot of system resources.
Below, we have captured some information about wmpnetwk.exe that we believe will help you better understand the wmpnetwk.exe program file. Read on for details…
What is wmpnetwk.exe?
Wmpnetwk.exe is the Windows Media Player network sharing service process. It is used to share your media player’s content with other networked PCs so that everyone can enjoy your music and videos together. This process is designed to run all the time and should generally not consume any significant resources.
However, if you notice that it is using more CPU or memory resources than you expected, you can disable it so that it no longer runs in the background.
Is wmpnetwk.exe a virus?
Wmpnetwk.exe is not a virus and it does not pose any threat to the security of your PC. However, running in the background can sometimes consume a lot of system resources. The purpose of this utility is to connect to the Internet and download any updates, patches and new versions of Windows Media Player.
This process was introduced in 2001 with the release of Windows XP. The main reason Microsoft introduced it was that they wanted to provide a service that would always keep Media Player up to date.
How to Check if wmpnetwk.exe is a Genuine Windows File or Malware
Although wmpnetwk.exe is a known Windows system program file, it is possible to find a virus file masquerading as the same name. So it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Here’s how to check if wmpnetwk.exe is a genuine Windows program file or a virus.
Method 1: By viewing the file location of wmpnetwk.exe
step 1: Right-click Start button and select task manager Options from the menu.
Step 2: Once the Task Manager utility starts, go to detail tab and scroll down until you find the wmpnetwk.exe file.
Step 3: Right-click a program file and select characteristic†
Step 2: On the General tab, the file location points to “C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player†
If the file is not in this folder, it may be malware disguised as wmpnetwk.exe. If this is the case, you may need to perform an immediate system scan with an antivirus program or delete the file immediately.
Method 2: By checking the digital signature of wmpnetwk.exe
Another way to determine if a wmpnetwk.exe program file is malware is to simply check and verify its digital signature. To do this, do the following:
step 1. according to win + X key, and then select Task Manager from the menu options.
Step 2: Go to the Details tab and scroll to find wmpnetwk.exe and right click on it and select characteristic.
Step 3. under digital signature tab and check signer’s name It’s Microsoft Corporation.
All genuine Windows system files are digitally signed by Microsoft Corporation. If the signer of the wmpnetwk.exe file is different from Microsoft, the file is considered suspicious.
In this case, you may need to run an antivirus system scan immediately to remove files from your PC.
How to disable or delete wmpnetwk.exe from your PC
Option 1: Disable wmpnetwk.exe via system settings
To disable wmpnetwk.exe through system settings, follow these steps:
step 1† Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Step 2: In the Run window, type Services.msc then press Enter†
Step 2. Please scroll Go down to Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and right click on it.
Step 3. choose stop Disable the startup type for the wmpnetwk.exe file.
hint! Note that this is only a temporary fix, when you restart your PC, the genuine program will be restored.
Option 2: By disabling wmpnetwk.exe This window registry
step 1. Open regedit.exe from the Windows start menu and use the following keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\HME
If you don’t see a DWORD named Disable Discovery in this key, you can create one. All you have to do now is change the value of the DWORD to 1 and you are done.
Step 2: To check if wmpnetwk.exe is still running on your PC, enter the following command:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
If the file is still available on your PC, remove or delete it from the system files.
How to troubleshoot wmpnetwk.exe with high memory and CPU
Even if you are not using Windows Media Player, the wmpnetwk.exe process typically consumes a lot of memory and CPU resources. While this isn’t usually a hassle for many users, some may find it a bit of a hassle.
Here are some options and steps to help you prevent wmpnetwk.exe from using high memory and CPU resources.
A sort of).stop windows media player network sharing service
You can stop the Windows Media Player network sharing service from starting when the computer starts. In these order:
step 1. ○Press Win + R to open the Windows Run window, then in the Run dialog, type Services.msc then hit Enter†
Step 2. In the Services window, find Windows Media Player Sharing Service then right click on it and select stop†
Step 3. To confirm that the Windows Media Player sharing service has been stopped successfully, go to the Task Manager window and confirm that the service is no longer running.
Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. wmpnetwk.exe should not activate automatically unless other system services depend on it.
Second).Disable automatic startup of the Windows Media Player network sharing service
By default, Windows automatically starts the wmpnetwk.exe process whenever you turn on your PC.
However, you can disable the automatic startup of the Windows Media Player network sharing system. Set the WMP network sharing service to start only when the computer is turned on. need to be able to do this:
step 1. Double-click the Windows Media Player Sharing Service in the Windows Services Manager.
Step 2. choose manual from the options Startup type drop down box.
Step 3. choose”Apply” Then”OKSave your changes.
the fourth step. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
C).Disable Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service
step 1. Types of control panel In the Windows search bar, and then in the right panel of the search results window, click Open Launch the Control Panel window.
Step 2: choose Programs and Features Select from the control panel screen Turn Windows features on or off (3rd options in the upper left corner of the Programs and Features window).
Step 3. In the next pop-up window, select media function Check the box next to the folder and click OK After expanding the Media Feature folder and clearing the Windows Media Player check box.
Step 3† To continue, select “Yes” at the confirmation prompt. During this process, you may be asked for your account credentials.
For the modifications to take effect, restart your computer. If you need to reinstall the app, follow the same steps, then make sure the checkbox you cleared in step 3 above is checked.
D).close media stream
If Wmpnetwk.exe detects a problem with indexing or streaming files, it may freeze in the background. Disabling media streaming should do the trick, especially if you don’t want to broadcast media to other devices.
To turn off media streaming via WMP, follow these steps:
Các bài viết liên quan:
step 1. choose Premium Streaming Options From the Streaming dropdown in the upper right corner Windows Media Player†
Step 2. Open the Windows Control Panel (type control panel in the search bar), then go to Network and Sharing Centerthen select Streaming settings on the sidebar.
Step 3. To save your selection, uncheck allow beside the box Media programs and remote connections on this PCand then click OK.
FAQ
1. What is media sharing in Windows Media Player?
Media sharing is a feature in Windows Media Player 11 and later that lets you share media files on your computer with other devices or players.
You can also use Windows Media Player to stream or transfer these files to the device without copying them.
2. Can I disable the Windows Media Player sharing service?
Yes, you can disable the Windows Media Player sharing service on your PC. Due to a misconfigured Windows Media Player network sharing service, sometimes wmpnetwk.exe is running and using many system resources on your computer. If you don’t use this service, disable it to prevent it from consuming a lot of memory and CPU resources on your PC.
3. Do I need Windows Media Player network sharing service?
The Windows Media Player network sharing service is an integral part of Windows Media Player. It allows you to share your media library with other computers on your home network.
Additionally, it supports audio streaming from remote computers and other devices in the network. You need it if you want to use its features and functionality. Otherwise, you don’t know.
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