How to stop Windows storing shared folders on the network?

liamo

Hi,

Part of my job involves visiting client sites with my laptop.

On my laptop "My Network Places" is filled with tons of shared folders from all the client sites I've visited. I've deleted them before but it's pointless really as they just get picked up again the next time I'm on-site.

Is there a registry setting that can disable the default Windows behaviour of detecting and storing these shared folders?

Thanks

Liam

Capt'n Midnight

yes there is a registry setting to stop it storing the recently visited sites.

I don't have the link to hand but , yes it exists.

Soundman

Have a look at this. Did a very quick search on google and this was the first result:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/242578

Hope it is what you are looking for.

Capt'n Midnight

Ta , nice to see it's in the OU too.

HOW TO: Prevent Network Share Shortcuts from Being Added to My Network Places

1. Click Start, click Run, type mmc.exe, and then click OK.
2. In Microsoft Management Console (MMC) click Add/Remove Snap-in on the Console menu.
3. Click Add.
4. Click Group Policy, and then click Add.
5. Accept the default (which is Local Computer), and then click Finish.
6. Click Close, and then click OK.
7. Under Local Computer Policy, expand the User Configuration entry.
8. Expand the Administrative Templates entry.
9. Expand the Desktop entry.
10. Right-click Do not add shares of recently opened documents to My Network Places, and then click Properties.
11. Click Enabled, and then click OK.

To change this setting on a network policy, you must edit the policy file that is associated with the domain or organizational unit (OU) to make the same changes.

This policy has three possible settings:
Enabled: Windows does not add shortcuts to My Network Places
Disabled: Windows adds shortcuts to My Network Places
Not configured: Windows adds shortcuts to My Network Places

Soundman

Cheers Cap'n. I was just too lazy to copy it out from my link in case it wasn't the right remedy.

liamo

Many thanks guys. That was exactly what I needed.