Browser service

<p>Browser service or Computer Browser Service is a feature of <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a> to let users easily browse and locate <a href="/facts/Shared_resource/tmLvfkwR">shared resources</a> in neighboring computers. This is done by aggregating the information in a single computer "Browse Master" (or "Master Browser"). All other computers contact this computer for information and display in the <a href="/facts/Network_Neighborhood/fQnhShAU">Network Neighborhood</a> window.
</p><p>Browser service runs on <a href="/facts/MailSlot/eDfBWoA1">MailSlot</a> / <a href="/facts/Server_Message_Block/pWM35pl8">Server Message Block</a> and thus can be used with all supported <a href="/facts/Transport_protocol/UmIGUCeK">transport protocol</a> such as <a href="/facts/NetBIOS_Frames/HQG9DoCb">NBF</a> ("NetBEUI"), NBX (IPX/SPX) and <a href="/facts/NetBIOS_over_TCP/IP/6Kvcw0Ch">NBT</a> (TCP/IP). Browser service relies heavily on broadcast, so it is not available across network segments separated by <a href="/facts/Router_(computing)/Nh5cIyVf">routers</a>. Browsing across different IP subnets need the help of <a href="/facts/Domain_Master_Browser/T80oHf7C">Domain Master Browser</a>, which is always the <a href="/facts/Primary_Domain_Controller/XIpb6t6d">Primary Domain Controller</a> (PDC). Therefore, browsing across IP subnets is not possible in a pure <a href="/facts/Workgroup_(Computer_networking)/SqL9DWtQ">workgroup</a> network.
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Browser service open-in-new

Browser service