Disable Search for Network Files

Click on any underlined word to see its meaning. Words with ** before and after, are downloadable links. 

 

The Problem

When you open My Computer or your Windows Explorer, you might have noticed that there is a time lag before the icons actually appear. This is because XP is searching for network files and printers that are available on the network.

 

The Solution

You can manually disable this, so that XP does not automatically check for these.

 

The Method

Follow the steps below to manually disable this search.

 

1. Locate the My Computer Icon on your Desktop, or in your Start Menu. Double Left Click on the My Computer Icon. You will see a screen similar to the one shown below.        

 

 
    2.      Left Click on the Tools menu at the top of your screen. A drop-down menu will appear.

    3.   Left Click on Folder Options

4. Under Folder options select the View Tab. You should be seeing a screen similar to the one shown below.

 

 

5. Uncheck the first box (by Left Clicking on it with your mouse pointer) which reads “Automatically search for network folders and printers”.
6. Click Ok.

 

XP will not look for network files or printers when you open My Computer or Windows Explorer.