Internet Connection Sharing
These instructions explain why and how to disable Internet Connection Sharing on Windows platforms.
Why disable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)?
Internet Connection Sharing and Internet Sharing are features in their respective operating systems that allows the computer to act as a network router and DHCP server if it has two or more types of networking devices. These devices could be Ethernet cards, modems, or Firewire (IEEE 1394) ports. If Internet Connection Sharing is actively running while the computer is connected to any part of the University's network, that computer and other computers nearby may lose all connectivity to the network. If you have been previously connected to a home network, know that Internet Connection Sharing was used in your previous network setup, or suspect you have done something to turn Internet Connection Sharing on please go through this guide to help prevent loss of network services for you and others.
Before you begin...
You should have the following items available:
- Your Windows CD (this comes with your computer as an "Operating System CD" or similar)
- Administrative privileges for Windows Vista, XP, Professional, or 2000
Disabling ICS on Windows Vista
Step 1
Click "Start", then "Control Panel," and select "Classic View" on the lefthand column of the window.
Step 2
Double click "Network and Sharing Center", and in the lefthand column click the "Manage network connections link".
Step 3
The following change only needs to be made if there is more than one network connection listed. For each network connection listed, right-click the connection and click "Properties".
Step 4
If you see the "User Account Control" dialog box at any point during the configuration process, click "Continue".
Step 5
Click the "Sharing" tab. Under the Internet Connection Sharing section, make sure the checkbox in front of "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection" is NOT checked. Click "OK" to save the setting. Close the Control Panel.
Disabling ICS on Windows XP/2000
Step 1
Click on the "Start" menu, select "Control Panel", select "Network and Internet Connections", and choose "Network Connections".
Step 2
Perform the following actions on EACH connection icon, including all Local Area Connections AND all dialup connections in this window (see image below). Right click on the connection's icon and select "Properties". Select the "Advanced" tab, and if there is a checked box for "Internet Connection Sharing", uncheck it.
Step 3
Click "OK", and close the "Network Connections" window.
Last Update: 10/6/2009
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