Most home computers are not networked, or 'linked', to other computers for sharing files directly and for other local networking capabilites like printer sharing. However, Windows XP Home comes with these things enabled when you get your computer. It is a good idea to disable these to increase network security and to save some meory if you are not using them. A good example of someone who does not use file or print sharing is a person who has one computer in their home. You might be wondering if disabling networking also disables your connection to the Internet. The answer is NO it does not unless you have set something incorrectly or did not follow the steps exactly. 

Here are the instructions on how to disable networking.

NOTE: It is very important that you do these steps correctly to avoid disabling things you need.
 

1) Click "Start"

2) Click "Control Panel"

3) Double-click "Network and Internet Connections" 

4) Double-click "Network Connections". This will open the "Network Connections" windows.

5) Find and right-click the "Local Area Connection" icon to pull down its menu.

6) Click "Properties" at the very bottom of the menu.

7) This will open the "Local Area Connection Properties" window where you will see a list of all your installed networking items.

8) Under "This connection uses the following items:" find "Client for Microsoft Networks" in the list. If the box next to it is checked then uncheck it. If it is unchecked leave it as is.

9) In the same list, find "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" in the list. If the box next to it is checked then uncheck it. If it is unchecked leave it as is.

10) Scroll down the list to the bottom and click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" once to highlight it.

11) Once it is highlighted, click the "Properties" button just below the list. This brings up the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties" window.

12) Click the "Advanced..." button at the bottom right of this window. This brings up the "Advanced TCP/IP Settings" window.

13)  Click the "WINS" tab.

14)  When you get to the WINS options, uncheck the box next to where it says "Enable LMHOSTS lookup".

15) Under "NetBIOS" setting" click the circle next to where it says "Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP" to select that option.

16) Click "OK"

17) Click "OK" on the previous window.

18) Click "OK" on the first window you opened.

 

Done! This will secure your system from network attacks and save you some memory.

Also see How to Close Port 445 if you are comfortable with editing the windows registry

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