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How to delete the Network Neighborhood Icon
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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)
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