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Rob Vamosi's
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How to disable File and Printer Sharing
Within Windows lies the ability to share files from a remote PC or print to a device located elsewhere on a local-area network (LAN). If you don't have a LAN and use only one computer, you don't need file sharing. Turning it on just exposes you to virus writers and criminal hackers, who often look for such systems because file sharing is a known way to remotely access the contents of your hard drive. To keep your computer safe, we recommend turning off File and Printer Sharing within Windows unless you are connected to a LAN (as in a home network, an office, a university, or a corporation).
Required attention span: 5 minutes Ingredients
Before you start, you'll need to gather these elements:
How to turn off File and Printer sharing within Windows XP: Follow these simple steps
More resources:
Windows resource center
By Robert Vamosi
Edited by Allen Fear
(October 6, 2005)
Edited by Allen Fear
(October 6, 2005)
Within Windows lies the ability to share files from a remote PC or print to a device located elsewhere on a local-area network (LAN). If you don't have a LAN and use only one computer, you don't need file sharing. Turning it on just exposes you to virus writers and criminal hackers, who often look for such systems because file sharing is a known way to remotely access the contents of your hard drive. To keep your computer safe, we recommend turning off File and Printer Sharing within Windows unless you are connected to a LAN (as in a home network, an office, a university, or a corporation).
Required attention span: 5 minutes Ingredients
Before you start, you'll need to gather these elements:
PC running Windows XP
How to turn off File and Printer sharing within Windows XP: Follow these simple steps
1
Right-click the My Network Places icon on your desktop and select Properties to open the Network Connections window.
2
Find and right-click the icon associated with your primary network connection and select Properties.
3
Within the Connection Properties dialog box, look for a check mark next to "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks."
If there is one, remove the check mark by clicking it, then click OK to close the dialog box.
If there is one, remove the check mark by clicking it, then click OK to close the dialog box.
4
5
Finally, click OK and close the associated windows.
You don't need to reboot.
You don't need to reboot.
More resources:
Windows resource center 
