I have several Vista computers on which I have disabled file sharing.
However they remain visible on the Network which is composed of both Vista
and XP computers. As best I can tell this is because Network Discovery is
turned on. I need this turned on so that the Vista computers can see other
computers on the Network. Is there any way in Vista to make the Vista
computers not visible while allowing them to see other computers?
On re-reading your message, I see that you've already done what I
suggested in my first reply: In the Network and Sharing Center, turn
off File sharing, and leave Network discovery turned on.
After doing that, a Vista computer might still be visible to other
Vista computers (in Network or Network Map) and XP computers (in My
Network Places). But clicking the Vista computer will get an error
message, and its shared disks and folders will be invisible to other
computers.
I find Vista networking to be buggy and hard to understand. I just
turned off both Network discovery and File sharing on a Vista
computer, changed its computer name, and restarted it. Even with both
of those items turned off (and contradicting Vista's documentation),
the Vista computer's new name appeared in the Network Map on another
Vista computer. However, clicking the new name did nothing -- no new
window, no error message -- so its shared disks and folders are
inaccessible.
With both Network discovery and File sharing turned off, you can still
access another computer from Vista. Type that computer's name in the
Start Search box in this format:
\\computer
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com