The UPnP Device Host (upnphost) service supports peer-to-peer UPnP functionality for network devices. This service simplifies device and network service installation and management and accomplishes device and service discovery and control through driverless, standards-based protocol mechanisms.

UPnP-certified devices can automatically configure network addresses, announce their presence on a network subnet, and enable the exchange of device and service descriptions. When the UPnP Device Host service is installed, a computer can act as a UPnP-certified control point to discover and control the devices through a web or application interface.

This service is installed by default in Windows 7, and its startup type is Manual. The service is installed by default in Windows Server 2008 R2, and its startup type is Disabled.

When the UPnP Device Host service is started in its default configuration, it logs on by using the Local Service account.

The UPnP Device Host service is dependent upon the following system components:

• HTTP
• SSDP Discovery