WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service

The WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service (WinHttpAutoProxySvc) implements the Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) protocol for Windows HTTP Services (WinHTTP). WPAD is a protocol that enables an HTTP client to automatically discover a proxy configuration.

If the WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service stops or if you disable it, the WPAD protocol runs within the HTTP client's process instead of an external service process, and there is no loss of functionality.

This service is installed by default, and its startup type is Manual.

When the WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery service is started in its default configuration, it logs on by using the Local Service account.

The WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery service is dependent upon the following system components:

  • DHCP Client
  • Ancillary Function Driver Winsock
  • NetIO Legacy TDI Support Driver
  • TCP/IP Protocol Driver
  • Network Store Interface Service
  • NSI proxy service driver

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