Base Filtering System

Windows Vista Service Details

Description:

Managed firewall filtering. Even if you use a 3rd party firewall, you will probably want this service set to automatic, as it does more than just firewall filtering. It can be disabled, but your computer will be less secure.


Service Description:

The Base Filtering Engine (BFE) is a service that manages firewall and Internet Protocol security (IPsec) policies and implements user mode filtering. Stopping or disabling the BFE service will significantly reduce the security of the system. It will also result in unpredictable behavior in IPsec management and firewall applications.


Consequences of Stopping:

Windows firewall will not run as 'secure'
All services listed in 'Required For' will be unable to function


Depends on:

DCOM Server Process Launcher, Remote Procedure Call (RPC)


Required for:


Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), Routing and Remote Access, IPsec Policy Agent, IKE and AuthIP Ipsec Keying Modules, Windows Firewall


Default Settings:
Home Basic:Automatic
Home Premium:Automatic
Business:Automatic
Ultimate:Automatic
Tweaked Settings:1
Safe:Automatic
Tweak:Automatic
Minimal:Disabled
1: Use at your own risk. Check descriptions of terms here

Service Information

Service Name: BFE
Process Name:svchost.exe
Memory Usage(MB)2:
CPU Usage(%)3:
Running Type:
2: denotes typical memory usage. It may not be indicative of what usage you will see, but it should give you a rough idea. Make a comment below if you see otherwise.
3: denotes typical CPU usage when process is actually active. Many processes are not actively doing anything most of the time. Check running type for more details. All machines are different, so this number may not be indicative of what you will actually see.