WinHTTP Web Proxy & Internet Dropout

Recently (about a three months or so), 'Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service' has begun to "act up", in that it'll enter a running state and cause my Network Connection to dropout. It happens every hour on the hour unless I reboot.

I can't think of anything in particular that I've installed that would cause the WinHTTP service to start up.

I do have an Event ID 8033 (The browser has forced an election on network \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{415181BF-834F-4187-9739-DE4CEE0A0162} because a master browser was stopped.). That appears to occur about six seconds prior to 'The WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service service entered the running state.', at which point Network (or at least Internet) Connection is dropped.

I see where I can disable WinHTTP, but that some apps use it to open ports. Since I don't know which apps are using WinHTTP...it would be unwise for me to kill it.


So, any idea how to figure out what's calling WinHTTP...any ideas why WinHTTP would cause the internet to dropout?

Ya, I saw that. But was hesitant on disabling something that could be used by one of the pieces of software I have installed.

After a reboot, it appears nothing is throwing a hissy fit, so I guess all is well.

If you're asking me. No I haven't had this issue. And I haven't had any of the programs I use throw any sort of 'connection error'.