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Display Name (?):

Wireless Zero Configuration

Short Name (?):

WZCSVC

Executable (?):

svchost.exe

Library (?):

wzcsvc.dll

Depends On (?):

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

Supports (?):

None.

Description (?):

Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters

OS (?):

XP Home/Professional

Startup (?):

Default	Home	Workstation	Server	Minimal	Tweaked	Automatic
Automatic	Automatic	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled	Disabled

Explanation (?):

The wireless zero configuration service is used in automatically configuring any wireless devices you have installed. This allows you to simply plug in a wireless card and it to connect to the closest access point (AP) in range any begin using it if authenticated to it. In order for this service to be used the wireless card has to be supported by Microsoft, either through them directly supporting or another company meeting the specifications required by this service.

There are a few problems with this service though. With several wireless network cards, very commonly with Linksys wireless cards, this service could cause a rather annoying issue to arise. The problem is that every 60 seconds this service attempts to find new access points and causes a network disconnect at such point. The only true cure for this problem is through driver updates. A temporary fix can be created through a bit of tweaking as the service is not required if you wish to remain connected to only a single access point. So, once connected shutting down the wireless zero configuration service the problem will not occur until the service is restarted (next reboot normally). In this way a boot script could be used to NET STOP the service once a connection has been created.

If you do not intend to connect to a wireless network then this service is not required and would save resources if disabled. If you do intend to connect to a wireless network then you will most likely need this service set to automatic in order to connect to an access point (AP). I would recommend all corporate networks to have this service disabled as wireless is by nature insecure and shouldn't be used, let alone searching for other networks.