I am trying to turn off any kind of file/printer/resource sharing on Windows XP Pro SP3. First, I must admit that this is XPM virtual machine, but I got limited (though helpful) information at the technet forums *and* I believe that much of what I want to turn off is XP- specific rather than requiring knowledge of the virtual machine nature of XPM.
The computer will be the only one in a home situation, and will access the internet through a combination DSL modem router. The computer will connect to the modem router through either LAN cable or WiFi. So I don’t really need any sharing, network resource discovery, remote diagnostic, etc..
Here is what I’ve done after much reading on the internet. Your comments on whether it’s enough, too much so as to interfere with normal operation, and some of the questions about what encountered in applying the settings would be very much appreciated.
•WindowsExplorer->Tools->FolderOptions->View->AutoSearchForFile/ PrinterSearch: I disabled this while the Windows Explorer was displaying the top-level C-drive folders.
•Using Network Setup Wizard, specify that I connect directly to the internet (no local network). It asks for a WorkGroup name ?? I cancelled it because I don't want to create a network (not sure what the implications are for security/sharing)
•Disabled LAN Properties "Client for M$ Networks" and "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks".
•Changed Workstation service from Automatic to Disabled
•Disabled Guest account
•Disabled Simple File Sharing (as above, Windows Explorer was on the C- drive)
•I looked at Windows Firewall Exceptions: (1) Should Network Diagnostics be checked if I only use my DSL router/modem to connect to the outside rather than with local computers? (2) Same with Remote Assistance?
•I looked at Properties for C-drive: Sharing tab shows “Share this folder” selected – should it be? When I click on Permissions, I get “This has been shared for administrative purposes. The permissions cannot be set.”
•I checked the sharing properties of C-drive's 4 folders: “Documents and Settings”, “I386”, “Program Files”, “WINDOWS”. Only the WINDOWS properties show that it as being shared – why should it be shared?
•Followinghttp://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304040I tried to apply “Level 1” access to shares and files. However, the Sharing tab for My Documents doesn’t have a switch to “Make this Folder Private”. How to execute this?
•In the above site, why is Level 1 (or any level for that matter) applied only to My Documents? Can’t a user create folders above My Documents in the folder tree? And wouldn’t you also want to protect non- user folders high up in the folder tree as well?
Thanks.