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Disable "Network List Service (NLS)" service (breaks connectivity status, network identification, network connection icon, connectivity with some Microsoft apps)

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: High

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High

    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script disables "Network List Service (NLS)" service. This service is technically identified as netprofm 1 2 3 4 5 6.

NLS collects and stores properties for connected networks and notifies applications of changes 1 2 4 5 6 7 8. It manages network-related information similarly to how a computer caches domain name IP addresses 7.

Benefits of disabling NLS:

  • Enhancing your privacy. Disabling this service halts communication with Microsoft servers for connectivity detection 1 3.
  • Improving your security by reducing the attack surface. Any service or application is a potential point of attack 1. It's a security best-practices to disable or remove any unneeded services 1. NLS has had vulnerabilities in the past 9.
  • Optimizing system performance. This service is associated with high CPU usage 10.

However, disabling NLS may cause several issues:

  • Windows Firewall may default to the Public profile 11.
  • The Network Sharing Center may not display profile types or connection status 11.
  • The network connection icon may not appear on the Windows taskbar 11.
  • Microsoft 365 and Office apps may have activation 12 and network connection issues 13.
  • SQL Server and SQL Server Agent services may fail to start 14.
  • Network properties may not change or be managed efficiently 7.
  • Other Windows services may fail:
  • On Windows 10: Network Location Awareness (NlaSvc) 4 6, Remote Procedure Call (RPC) (RpcSs) 4 6, HomeGroup Provider (HomeGroupProvider) 4 6, Microsoft App-V Client (AppVClient) 4 6, Network Connected Devices Auto-Setup (NcdAutoSetup) 4 6.
  • On Windows 11: Network Store Interface Service (nsi) 5, Remote Procedure Call (RPC) (RpcSs) 5, TCP/IP Protocol Driver (tcpip) 5, Microsoft App-V Client (AppVClient) 5, Network Connected Devices Auto-Setup (NcdAutoSetup) 5

NLS is responsible for NCSI functionality only on Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022 or later 3 15. Earlier versions like Windows Server 2019 and Windows 10 use Network Location Awareness (NLA) for NCSI 15.

Microsoft states that disabling NLS only affects network information display and does not impact system behavior 11. Broadcom confirms that it is safe to disable this service 16. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) recommends disabling this service 1. Citrix recommends disabling this service on VDI\RDS machines 17. However, Microsoft has not provided clear guidance on whether this service should be disabled 2 8. It states that the effects of disabling this service are not fully evaluated 2.

Despite recommendations from authorities, this script does not disable NLS on Windows 11. Disabling NLS on Windows 11 causes your explorer.exe to crash and relaunch repeatedly 18. These issues were last confirmed in tests on Windows 11 Pro 23H2. The explorer.exe process repeatedly crashes, causing the screen to flash continuously and preventing the taskbar from loading.

Caution

This may lead to:

  • Lack of immediate feedback on network status.
  • Potential functionality issues in the system and applications that rely on NCSI for network information.
  • Reduced ability of Windows and other components to determine internet connectivity.
  • Windows and other software may incorrectly report that you're offline.
  • Issues with automatically opening the sign-in page when a captive portal (hotspot) is detected.

Overview of default service statuses​

OS VersionStatusStart type
Windows 10 (≥ 22H2)🟢 RunningManual
Windows 11 (≥ 23H2)🟢 RunningManual
Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

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  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable "Network List Service (NLS)" service (breaks connectivity status, network identification, network connection icon, connectivity with some Microsoft apps)" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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  • Includes safety checks
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How to apply or restore "Disable "Network List Service (NLS)" service (breaks connectivity status, network identification, network connection icon, connectivity with some Microsoft apps)" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable "Network List Service (NLS)" service (breaks connectivity status, network identification, network connection icon, connectivity with some Microsoft apps)
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Disable service(s): `netprofm`
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-MostRecent.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-MostRecent'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $serviceName = 'netprofm'; Write-Host "^""Disabling service: `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if(!$service) { Write-Host "^""Service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" could not be not found, no need to disable it."^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 2. Stop if running #>; if ($service.Status -eq [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is running, stopping it."^""; try { Stop-Service -Name "^""$serviceName"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Stopped `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Could not stop `"^""$serviceName`"^"", it will be stopped after reboot: $_"^""; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, no need to stop."^""; }; <# -- 3. Skip if already disabled #>; $startupType = $service.StartType <# Does not work before .NET 4.6.1 #>; if (!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Query "^""Select StartMode From Win32_Service Where Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; if(!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service -Property StartMode -Filter "^""Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; }; }; if ($startupType -eq 'Disabled') { Write-Host "^""$serviceName is already disabled, no further action is needed"^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 4. Disable service #>; try { Set-Service -Name "^""$serviceName"^"" -StartupType Disabled -Confirm:$false -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Disabled `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Could not disable `"^""$serviceName`"^"": $_"^""; }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable "Network List Service (NLS)" service (breaks connectivity status, network identification, network connection icon, connectivity with some Microsoft apps)" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

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Disable active connectivity tests (breaks internet connection status, captive portals)
Disable passive connectivity tests (breaks internet connection status)
Remove "Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI)" app (breaks internet connection status icon)
Block Microsoft connectivity check hosts (breaks internet connection status, captive portals)
Disable "Network Location Awareness (NLA)" service (breaks auto-reconnect, connectivity status, network identification)

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process