How to Disable a Computer Browser in Windows XP Pro

Enterprise-level administrators, or users of Windows XP Pro, can disable the computer browser on a Windows XP machine for any reason. You can disable the computer browser to keep the Windows XP computer from running an unnecessary service or to control the browsing behavior of the computer. To disable the computer browser, disable the computer browser service in the "Services and Applications" section in Windows XP.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" button to show the "Start" menu.

2. Right-click on the "My Computer" entry.

3. Click the "Manage" option.

4. Double-click "Services and Applications," and then click "Services."

5. Click the "Computer Browser" entry from the list.

6. Click the "Stop" button to stop the service.

7. Click the "Disabled" option from the "Startup Type" drop-down box. Click "OK."

References

• University of Pennsylvania: Disabling the Computer Browser Service in Windows XP