Command "netsh winsock reset"

[aforce66]

I had trouble installing Counter Strike: Global Offensive on my computer after it said "CONTENT FILE LOCKED" and uninstalling and reinstalling didn't do anything. I posted my issue on a thread in the Steam Discussions and a user replied with the solution to type in Windows Run "netsh winsock reset". Since I am virtually clueless when it comes to this kind of work with computers, what does this command do, and is this a reliable reply?

 

[rgd1101]

https://www.google.com/search?q="netsh+winsock+reset"

 

[johnbl]

netsh.exe winsock reset

netsh is a command line shell interface to access network functions.

winsock is an application interface that allows easy access to functions that allow applications to send data over a network. Most often now over the internet via (TCP/IP)

When the reset command is run it will remove all of the third party winsock providers and restore the Microsoft winsock provider to a known state. It would be useful if malware installed its own winsock provider, or you have installed a old 3rd party winsock version.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753591(v=ws.10).aspx#BKMK_3


It is kind of a generic command to get your machine to a known state in the hopes that it fixes the problem with out having to really figure out the problem. There are better ways to figure out winsock problems.

when debugging network problems you always want to update the motherboards network drivers and remove any packet injectors before you spend too much time looking at winsock problems.

note:
netsh.exe winsock show catalog
will show a lot of info on all of the transports that winsock runs on top of.
if you do a reset, you might have to reinstall some of these by actually reinstalling the transport
(like reinstalling your Bluetooth to get it to work correctly again)