What is Netsh.exe & its Popup and Crashes in Windows 11

Netsh.exe, or Network Shell, is a handy command-line tool in Windows 11 and Windows 10. It lets you tweak and manage network settings. Super useful for tech-savvy folks and network admins, this tool covers a lot of ground when it comes to handling network tasks. In this article, we’re going to chat about Netsh.exe – what it is, why it might pop up when you start your computer, what’s up with the application errors, and why it might crash in Windows 11.

Also see: How to Scan an .exe File for Viruses to Check If It’s Safe

What is Netsh.exe?

Netsh.exe is short for “Network Shell”. It’s a command-line tool that helps you show or change the network setup of a computer that’s currently running. It’s super handy for network admins who have to handle complex networks, automate tasks, or fix network problems.

Some of its main tasks include:

• Managing network interfaces.
• Setting up routing tables.
• Configuring firewall settings.
• Checking out active network connections.

Related resource: How to Use Netsh Interface IP Set Address or DNS in CMD

Why does Netsh.exe popup on startup?

Seeing Netsh.exe pop up when your Windows 11 or Windows 10 starts can be a bit puzzling. Here are a few reasons why this might happen:

1. Scheduled tasks: Sometimes, tasks or scripts set to run at startup use Netsh commands. This is common in places where network settings need to be applied regularly.
2. Malicious software: If you’ve got malware, it might use Netsh to mess with network settings without you knowing.
3. Software dependencies: Some apps, especially those that deal with network connections, might use Netsh commands when they start up.
4. Network-related Errors: Sometimes, Windows might run into network problems during startup. Netsh.exe might pop up as Windows tries to fix these issues.

If Netsh.exe shows up unexpectedly when your computer starts, it’s a good idea to figure out why, especially if you weren’t expecting it.

Useful tip: How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11

Netsh.exe crashing issues in Windows 11

Even though Netsh.exe is a crucial part of Windows and usually works fine, it might crash sometimes. Crashes can mess up network settings or even make Windows itself crash. Here are some common crash causes:

1. Corrupted system files: If system files Netsh.exe needs are damaged, it might not work right.
2. Memory or resource constraints: Low memory or resources can cause Netsh.exe to crash.
3. Driver conflicts: Old or wrong network drivers can mess with Netsh.exe and cause problems.
4. Third-party software interference: Some other software, especially security or network tools, might clash with Netsh.exe.

Learn more: How to Run System File Check at Boot in Windows 11/10

Netsh.exe “Application Error” issue

Netsh.exe can sometimes show an “Application Error” message, disrupting its normal work. Reasons for this error might be:

1. Corrupt Windows: If your Windows 11 is messed up, Netsh.exe might not work right.
2. Malware infection: Bad software pretending to be Netsh.exe can cause errors.
3. Registry issues: Wrong entries in the registry related to Netsh can lead to errors.

Handy guide: How to Know Which Process is Using a File in Windows 11

Other related errors

Trying to use Netsh.exe or when apps call it for network setups, you might run into these snags:

1. “Command Not Found” Error: If Netsh.exe is missing or in the wrong place, you’ll get a “Command not found” message. This could happen if system files are corrupted, deleted by mistake, or changed.
2. “Access Denied” Error: You might get this message if you don’t have the right to run network commands.
3. Incorrect Command Syntax: Netsh.exe has lots of commands. If you get them wrong, it won’t work as expected.
4. Corrupted Configuration Files: If the files Netsh.exe needs are messed up, it might not work right.

How to fix Netsh.exe issues in Windows 11

If you’re having trouble with Netsh.exe, like startup popups, errors, or crashes in Windows 11, here are a few things you can try to get things back to normal. It’s important to tackle these steps one at a time to figure out what’s really causing the problem.

Run a full scan for malware and viruses

First off, check if there’s any malware messing with Netsh.exe. Run a full scan with a trusted antivirus or Windows Defender to catch and remove any nasty bugs.

Run System File Checker (SFC)

System File Checker (SFC) can help fix damaged or missing system files. Open Command Prompt as admin and run:

sfc /scannow

Let it do its thing, and restart your computer after it’s done.

Recommended guide: How to Startup Repair Windows 11/10 using Command Prompt

Run Deployment Image Service and Management Tool (DISM)

DISM can fix the Windows image and sort out system issues. Open Command Prompt as admin and run these commands:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Restart your computer after it’s all done to see if the problem is fixed.

Check the Event Viewer

The Event Viewer can give you clues about what’s going wrong. Here’s how to use it:

1. Search for “Event Viewer” in the Start menu.
2. Open it and go to “Windows Logs” > “Application” and “System”.
3. Look for any error or warning messages related to Netsh.exe or network issues.

Perform a clean boot

A clean boot can help you find out if other software is causing the problem. Here’s how:

1. Open System Configuration by typing msconfig in the Start menu.
2. Go to the “Services” tab, tick “Hide all Microsoft services,” and then click “Disable all.”
3. Restart your computer and see if the problem with Netsh.exe goes away.

Perform a system restore

If things started going wrong recently, you could try a system restore to go back to a time when everything was working fine. This won’t mess with your files but can undo recent system changes.

Reset or reinstall Windows

If nothing else works, you might need to reset or reinstall Windows 11. This is a big step because it’ll refresh your system, but it can fix problems caused by corrupted files or settings. Resetting lets you keep your files, but reinstalling starts everything from scratch.

Final remarks

Netsh.exe is a key part of Windows 11, quite important for network management and troubleshooting. If you’re having trouble with it, it’s usually because of other software or malware, not Netsh.exe itself. Netsh.exe is a friend for managing networks, not something to be removed or avoided.