Networking: Enabling/Disabling Network Protocols

To view the available network protocols installed and active on the various network adapters installed on your computer, follow the instructions below:

• Click the Start button, right-click Network, and then select Properties.
• In the left pane click Change adapter settings link. This will display a list of all the network devices installed on the local computer.
• Right-click any of the devices and select Properties.

This will bring up a list of the network protocols installed and active on an adapter. The protocols that are installed but are inactive are indicated by the absence of a check in the box next to them.   To enable or disable a network protocol, check or uncheck the checkbox next to it.

The list below includes names of the default Windows networking protocols and a brief description of what they're used for:

• Client for Microsoft Networks: Allows access to shared network resources (such as, file and printer sharing that utilize this Microsoft protocol) on the local LAN.
• QOS Packet Scheduler: Provides network traffic management on the network for applications and devices that support this service.
• File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks: Used for sharing printers and files attached to the local computer with other systems on the local network.
• Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6): Next generation TCP/IP network communication protocol for communicating on LANs, WANs or the Internet.
• Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4): Primary network communication protocol for communicating on LANs, WANs or the Internet.
• Link Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver: Used to discover computers connected to the local network.
• Link Layer Topology Responder: Used to identify computers connected to the local network.