What Is iphlpsvc and Is It Safe to Disable It?

What to Know

• iphlpsvc is a Microsoft-provided service that helps manage the network configuration.
• Although safe, you can disable iphlpsvc if it's using too many system resources.
• Use the Services tool to disable IP Helper; press Stop to shut it down.

This article explains the iphlpsvc service in Windows, including what it does, if it's safe to run, and how to disable it from starting with Windows.

What Is iphlpsvc?

The IP Helper service, aka iphlpsvc, retrieves and modifies network configuration settings for your Windows PC. It allows connections across various networking protocols, like IPv6 and Port Proxy.

This service comes from Microsoft and is installed along with the thousands of other files that come with a new Windows installation. There's little reason to manage it unless it's causing problems. In fact, iphlpsvc is primarily useful only if you're running remote databases or connecting over IPv6.

You might come across iphlpsvc.dll when looking at processes running in Task Manager. It doesn't typically use up much in the way of resources and can be safely left alone. It will typically start with Windows and continue running in the background without getting in your way.

Can I Disable iphlpsvc?

Yes. Disabling iphlpsvc won't damage your computer or break its general functionality. You may want to keep it running if you're going to use IPv6, and since iphlpsvc.dll typically uses such little system resources, it's better to leave it alone if it isn't causing problems.

However, some users have found it can draw unnecessary memory and CPU usage at certain times. If you have that problem or want to disable it because you don't need it, there are ways to do it.

How to Disable iphlpsvc From Services

The quickest and easiest method for disabling iphlpsvc is by stopping the service that started it in the first place.

1. Search for Services from the taskbar and then select it from the results.

2. Scroll down the list to find IP Helper. Double-click it to open its properties.

   

3. To disable the service temporarily, select Stop.

   

4. If you want to stop it from running again, also set the Startup type to Disabled using the drop-down menu.

   

5. Select OK to close the prompt. You can also close Services.

How to Disable iphlpsvc From Registry Editor

You can also disable the iphlpsvc service with Registry Editor, the tool that lets you interact with the Windows Registry. There's a whole registry key dedicated to iphlpsvc which you can edit to block it from starting up with Windows.

Back up the registry before continuing. The registry is an important area of Windows that, if misused, can have a disastrous effect on how your system operates. You don't need to be scared of altering it, but you should be wary and double-check everything you do there, especially if you're not familiar with it.

1. Open Registry Editor through the Run dialog box. Press Win+R, type regedit, and then press OK.

2. Change the path at the top of the program to this, and then press Enter to jump there:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iphlpsvc
   

3. Find the Start value on the right side. Right-click (or tap and hold) it, and select Modify.

   

4. To disable iphlpsvc from starting up with Windows, change Value data to read 4. Select OK to save.

   

   The default value is 2 should you ever want to undo these changes.

5. Close the window and restart your computer. iphlpsvc should no longer start with Windows.

How to Disable iphlpsvc From Command Prompt

You can also disable the iphlpsvc service with Command Prompt. Following these steps will do the same thing explained above for the registry edit, but automatically via a simple command.

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt. One way is to type CMD in the Windows search box. Right-click or tap and hold the corresponding result, and select Run as administrator.

2. To disable iphlpsvc at startup, type the following and press Enter:

    reg add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\iphlpsvc” /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 4 /f
   

   Command Prompt should display the message The operation completed successfully. to indicate that it worked.

3. Restart your PC. The iphlpsvc service is now disabled.

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