Windows NAT Driver (WinNat) Service Defaults in Windows 10
This service provides network address translation functionality.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | Windows NAT Driver |
| Service name: | WinNat |
| Service type: | kernel |
| Error control: | normal |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\winnat.sys |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinNat |
Default Behavior
Windows NAT Driver is a kernel device driver. In Windows 10 it is starting only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If Windows NAT Driver fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the WinNat service has failed to start due to the error.
Dependencies
Windows NAT Driver cannot be started under any conditions, if the TCP/IP Protocol Driver service is disabled.
Restore Default Startup Configuration for Windows NAT Driver
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows NAT Driver depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config WinNat start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The WinNat service is using the winnat.sys file that is located in the %WinDir%\system32\drivers folder. If the file is changed, damaged or deleted, you can restore its original version from Windows 10 installation media.