Although you cannot uninstall IPv6 on Windows platforms, you can disable it if desired. However, Microsoft does not recommend disabling IPv6 for the following reasons:
- During the development of Windows platforms by Microsoft, services and applications were tested only with IPv6 enabled. As a result, Microsoft cannot predict what might be the consequences of disabling IPv6 on Windows.
- Some Windows features will not function if IPv6 is disabled. Examples of such features include DirectAccess and Remote Assistance.
By leaving IPv6 enabled, you can ensure that your Windows computers are fully supported and that all network-enabled features can work as intended.
Mitch Tulloch is a nine-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award and a widely recognized expert on Windows administration, deployment and virtualization. For more information see http://www.mtit.com. This tip was excerpted from his latest book Training Guide: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 from Microsoft Press.
