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When installing a new Windows95/98 system, it first shows on the Desktop the default icons for “My Computer“, “Recycle Bin” and on newer version of Windows also “The Internet“. Once you install any kind of Network (and installing Dialup-Networking creates a Network), you get another desktop icon: “Network Neighborhood“. While is is very useful on browsing a LAN, it serves no purpose on a standalone system with just an Internet connection. So, you like to delete it. |
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Pressing the DEL-key has no effect. And when calling up the context-menu (right-mouse button ), there is NO selection for “Delete” |
The Network Neighborhood is an integral part of Windows Networking and as such it is heavily protected against an (accidental ? ) delete.
But (as usual), there is a solution hidden deep down in the Windows Registry:
Under the Microsoft standard key for Software setup:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion,
look for: Policies\Explorer and create the key: NoNetHood with value: 1.
Another (even easier) possibility: use the Policy Editor (POLEDIT) to edit
your local Registry:
Open the Local Registry, then double-click on “Local User“, look for:
“Shell“, “Restrictions” and put a Checkmark on “Hide Network Neighborhood“.Don’t forget to select now Save to stored the Modification.
On the next Logon, the icon for “Network Neighborhood” is disappeared !
This procedure does NOT delete the functionality of the Network Neighborhood, it just hides it by taking the icon away from the desktop.
And the advantage of this method : it is very easy to get the icon back !
(by changing back the value in the Registry, using REDEDIT or POLEDIT)
