Remove Computers From Under Network (Windows Explorer)


Recommended Posts

Hi,

I am looking to remove entries from under the Network listing in Windows Explorer.

 

I am using Windows 8.1. Now these aren't devices/computers I want to remove from the Network, I just don't want to see them.

 

0isNIqR.jpg

 

That is what I am referring to. Is this possible?

Those are machines on your network - why would you not want to see them?  This is normal network browsing working as it should.

 

Do you not want to see the whole list, or do you just want some not to participate in network browsing?

 

I don't think I have ever heard anyone want to not see boxes on the browse list - there are always hundreds that can not get it to work and can not figure out to get their machines to show up, etc.. Never heard of anyone wanting to remove them...

 

WTF does it matter?  I mean really??  Why would you want to hide them??  Which ones do you want to remove?

 

Lets see your discovery methods - example

 

post-14624-0-55809400-1394420756.png

 

See how mine are all netbios.

One of them is a random device (I believe my network printer)

One of them is my Router

One of them is me

One of them is my Dads system which I never access.

 

That is why I want them gone :) I'm just picky with how my systems are displayed.

 

They are all NetBIOS discovery. So your basically saying, there is no way to do this?

What you're asking for defeats the whole purpose of the Network Browser. It is designed to show you the devices on the network...

 

If it bothers you just disable network discovery entirely.

Network discovery has nothing to do with ACCESS, its just the listing of the devices.  You can turn it off on your machine if you don't want to see a list, or for that matter here you go - click the little arrow
 
post-14624-0-32522800-1394425588.png
 
Now you don't see anything ;)  Map a drive letter or create a shortcut to the shares you access, and don't use the browsing feature if you don't want to see these extra devices on your network you don't access..
 
For the life of me I don't get it -- who cares??  if a computer is listed there that is ON YOUR NETWORK!!  Just because you don't access them what does it matter? 
 
Now I could understand if there was something there you were not sure what it was - and shouldn't be there and wanted to track it down.  But those are all devices on your network, so the system is doing what it was designed to do - show you whats on your network..
 
Here
http://blogs.technet.com/b/networking/archive/2010/12/06/disabling-network-discovery-network-resources.aspx
Disabling Network Discovery/Network Resources

 

 

Hello,

Im guess its a organization thing. A lot of people are picky about this and having icons that they dont need or want.

  Quote

Map a drive letter or create a shortcut to the shares you access, and don't use the browsing feature if you don't want to see these extra devices on your network you don't access..

This is the best solution basically. Unless you want to touch the registry (and even then Im not sure...)

"A lot of people are picky"

 

In other words anal or they have a bad case of the ocds ;)

 

So show me everything on the network so I can "browse" it -- but not that guy, I don't use that guy -- he should not be on the list ;)

Last time I messed with this was like around 2003 or so, but it's probably still there. Open up a console and run "net config server /hidden:yes" and then restart the "Server" service. (You'll probably want to restart "Workstation" on the other machines too.. it may take a while to disappear from the browser lists.) It should be hidden in the network view, "net view", etc after that.. if the functionality is still there, like I said it's been over a decade. But like above, kind of fail to see the point, collapse the thing and make a shortcut to the one you do want in the favorites and call it a day instead of intentionally crippling functionality.

  On 10/03/2014 at 10:43, BudMan said:

"A lot of people are picky"

 

In other words anal or they have a bad case of the ocds ;)

 

So show me everything on the network so I can "browse" it -- but not that guy, I don't use that guy -- he should not be on the list ;)

 

Man,

I'm usually one of the pickiest people on the planet for things showing up where I may not want them, but this goes WAY beyond a bad case of the ocd's!

 

As stated though, just close the arrow/drop down and make a short cut to the one you want and quit looking at it!! ;)

That would work for the machines he doesn't want on to see on the list - he needs to do that on the machine he wants to remove from the list. But kind of hard to run that command on his router, or his printer ;)

 

If he runs it on his own machine he will just remove his own machine from the list.  So which device on your network is your browse master?  This little tool will work.. Don't worry you don't have to "install" anything.. I remember your other thread where you don't like stuff installed on your machine ;) 

 

http://scottiestech.info/2009/02/14/how-to-determine-the-master-browser-in-a-windows-workgroup/

 

If his router is coming up in the list via netbios - I would have to assume it is sharing something, I do believe the n56u's can share like a usb stick.. I would suggest he turns that off on his router if he doesn't want to use that feature.

 

I can tell you want is going to happen - he is going to break browsing all together dicking with it trying remove a couple of entries.  And then he will complain that machine X is not listed under his network tab ;)

 

If you don't want printer and router in the list - then on the printer and router turn off the features that allow them to be on the list.

Hello,

  On 10/03/2014 at 10:43, BudMan said:

In other words anal or they have a bad case of the ocds ;)

I was trying to put it mildly but yes, exactly.

Lets just try to help him out. We aren't doctors so we cant cure his bad case of ocds nor his anal...........wait, that last part.......nm.

Anyways,

  Quote

Last time I messed with this was like around 2003 or so, but it's probably still there. Open up a console and run "net config server /hidden:yes" and then restart the "Server" service. (You'll probably want to restart "Workstation" on the other machines too.. it may take a while to disappear from the browser lists.) It should be hidden in the network view, "net view", etc after that.. if the functionality is still there, like I said it's been over a decade. But like above, kind of fail to see the point, collapse the thing and make a shortcut to the one you do want in the favorites and call it a day instead of intentionally crippling functionality.

Wouldn't this make everything in the list disappear?
  On 10/03/2014 at 11:35, riahc3 said:

Wouldn't this make everything in the list disappear?

Budman clarified what I tried to say above, you do that command on the system you don't want to be seen in a network list... after it drops off the network browsing list it should stay hidden. But yea, it has the drawback that it only works on PC's and not devices. (Assuming it still works, like I said it's been like a decade since I actually tried that.)

The command is still valid

 

post-14624-0-20631200-1394452060.png

 

And would for sure work on windows machines he has control over that he doesn't want on the list.

 

I want nothing more than to help the guy - but the whole point of the list is to show you what is on the network..  I would think he would be more anal about not seeing stuff that is on the network ;)

 

He has been given multiple solutions to his problem already.. Collapse the listing and use direct shares is clearly the best solution to his problem of seeing stuff he doesn't want to see ;)

 

the net config server /hidden works for windows machine he wants to remove from the list.  As to other non windows based like his router and printer he should contact the makers and turn that stuff off.  For example my printer

 

post-14624-0-52453600-1394452539.png

 

could prob turn of llmnr, cifs and mdns if I didn't want it to be found/listed via these services..  I don't see it in my list because its on another segment than my machine.  I would assume it shows up on my wireless laptops since that is the segment it is on to allow for easy airprint discovery, etc.

 

The browse list is dynamic - it is maintained by the browse master for each segment.  There is an election - there is also other discovery methods that could come into play..  I know of no way of manipulation of this list other than telling the devices to not to report themselves, etc.

 

 

Thanks guys.

 

Yes I am as you put it "anal" about things. Look at it this way, I am seeing 4 things that I do not ever need to see, and one that I do. To me it's logical to remove those items.

 

I will remove the Network section completely and add a shortcut to the one system.

 

Though to confirm, if I turn off Network Discovery, I can still add a mapped drive/shortcut to that system? If you read the description for that link you gave, it makes it sound like that would not be possible. I know we kinda went through this on my Previous issue.

 

*nevermind, removed Network, added the share, looks good :)

Thanks everyone for the help, and suggestion.

  On 10/03/2014 at 15:51, bman said:

Though to confirm, if I turn off Network Discovery, I can still add a mapped drive/shortcut to that system? If you read the description for that link you gave, it makes it sound like that would not be possible. I know we kinda went through this on my Previous issue.

It's just as it sounds, it's a combination of services that lets you easily find everything on your network. Regardless if those services are running or not, there's nothing from stopping you from connecting to another system directly. I forget if you can still use a UNC path or if you have to specifically use an IP address.. not something I've ever personally had a desire to disable.
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Err more info required... Are you using the built-in VPN client? PowerShell > Batch. Either way, the script will most likely use rasdial.
    • The viewing figures in season 2 plummeted after 1 of the main characters died in season 2 episode 1. I think hbo is regretting listening to him so they got rid of him.
    • Google Workspace now lets you use custom AI Gems directly in Docs, Gmail, and more by Paul Hill Google Workspace users can now access Gems from the side panel of Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drive, and Gmail. Previously, Gems could only be accessed from the Gemini app directly. For anyone not familiar with Gems, they’re a more advanced feature in Gemini where you can make your own chatbots, powered by Gemini, with custom instructions. If you’re interested in learning more about them, check out my editorial from April, where I argue custom AI bots are the best thing about generative AI and how to create your own bots. The decision to make Gems available across Google Workspace has the potential to significantly speed up people’s workflows if they’ve started using Gems already. If you’ve never made a Gem, Google has several pre-made ones including a Brainstormer, Writing editor, Coding partner, and Learning guide. Google Workspace users can leverage Gems in an almost infinite number of ways. For example, imagine if you’re a teacher in whatever country and you have to make lesson plans for your class that must follow a certain structure, you can use natural language to program a gem to expect certain inputs from you (such as grade, subject, topic etc) and get an output that follows the required guidelines. If you’re a journalist, you could create a gem to quickly strip out the key bits of news from a press release or if you’re a student you can create a bot to break down complicated subjects into something easier to understand. The possibilities are nearly endless and now the Gems you make are even more accessible. Google mentioned that Gems can be accessed via the side panel of all supported Workspace applications and can be used across Workspace capabilities including @ mentioning, accessing files and folders, and more. If you need to create a Gem, you’ll still need to do that on the Gemini website. To get started with Gemini in Google Workspace, just click the “Ask Gemini” (spark button) in the top-right corner. Google said that the Gems feature rollout is an extended rollout which means it might take more than 15 days to get the feature. Admins out there do not need to do anything and there are no specific admin controls in the side panel for Gems or Gemini.
    • Microsoft changes hit Teams Android devices: Disable Entra ID policy to restore sign-in by Paul Hill As part of its Secure Future Initiative, Microsoft has deployed a new Entra ID Conditional Access policy targeting Device Code Flow authentication. Unfortunately, it has led some Microsoft Teams-certified Android devices (Teams Rooms on Android, Teams Phones, Teams Panels, and Teams Displays) to be logged out and signing back in can be a bit fiddly so guidance has been shared. Microsoft said that it shared previous guidance which explained how to exclude Android devices, but it seems some admins didn’t catch this as many devices were not excluded and have been signed out. It’s important to realize that this is not a bug, it’s a security feature. However, the move could have been better communicated. To sign the devices back in, you can do so manually. However, if the devices are remote you’ll need to follow these steps: By disabling the “Block device code flow” policy in step 1, it will change everything back to how it was before Microsoft decided to enable it to boost security. This will allow you to get those affected Android devices logged back in again. Also pay special attention to step 2 which says you might need to reboot your device three times. Once you have your Android devices logged in again, it’s probably a good idea to follow Microsoft’s previous guidance and add these to an exclusion list before re-enabling the “Block device code flow” policy. Microsoft recommends only allowing DCF where it’s absolutely necessary and then blocking it elsewhere. The best thing to do is to add your Teams Android device to the exclusion list - this will allow these devices to operate normally, while boosting overall security. If you’re an admin and have been impacted by this, be sure to take proactive measures to avoid disruptions in the future.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Reacting Well
      SteveJaye earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • One Month Later
      MadMung0 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      Uranus_enjoyer earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Philsl earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      Jaclidio hoy earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      434
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      158
    3. 3
      +FloatingFatMan
      146
    4. 4
      Nick H.
      65
    5. 5
      +thexfile
      62
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!