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Windows: Enable or Disable Administrative Shares

July 6, 2012 Posted by lillurob under Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP
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Windows automatically creates hidden shared resources that are not visible in Windows Explorer but are used to manage the computer environment or network. By default these are enabled, however sometimes you may wish to disable them for security reasons.

Default Shared Folders

  • DriveLetter$: Root partitions and volumes (example C$, D$ …)
  • ADMIN$: Used during remote administration of the server or workstation
  • IPC$: Required for communication between programs
  • NETLOGON: Used on domain controllers
  • SYSVOL: Used on domain controllers
  • PRINT$: Used during remote administration of printers
  • FAX$: Used by fax clients during fax transmissions

    • Disable Admin Shares

  • Click on Start
  • Click on Run
  • Type regedit and click OK
  • Locate: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters \AutoShareServer
  • On the Edit menu, click Modify
  • In the Value data box, type 0 and click OK
  • Quit Registry Editor
  • Restart server service

    • Enable Admin Shares

    Follow steps above but type 1 instead of 0 in step 6

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