Disable Internet Connection Sharing

These instructions are for how to disable Internet Connection Sharing on versions of Windows that support it and Internet Sharing on Mac OSX. The operating systems below support Internet Connection Sharing.

• Windows Vista
• Windows XP
• Windows 2000
• Windows ME
• Windows 98 2nd Edition
• Mac OSX

Why disable Internet Connection Sharing and Internet Sharing?

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.

Disabling Internet Connection Sharing on Windows Vista

1. Click the Start circle at the bottom left of the desktop.
   
2. Press the Properties button and wait for the Network and Sharing Center screen to appear.
   
3. Perform the following actions on EACH connection icon, including all Local Area Connections and all dial-up connections, in this window:
   • Right click on the connection's icon and select Properties.
     
   • Select the Advanced tab.
   • If there is a checked box for Internet Connection Sharing, uncheck it.
   • Click OK.
     

Disabling Internet Connection Sharing on Windows XP

1. Click on the Start button, select Control Panel, select Network and Internet Connections, and choose Network Connections.
   OR
   Click on the Start button, select Settings, choose Network Connections.
   
2. Perform the following actions on EACH connection icon, including all Local Area Connections and all dial-up connections, in this window:
   • Right click on the connection's icon and select Properties.
     
   • Select the Advanced tab.
   • If there is a checked box for Internet Connection Sharing, uncheck it.
   • Click OK.
     
3. Close the Network Connections window.

Disabling Internet Connection Sharing on Windows 2000

1. Click on the Start button, select Control Panel, and choose Network and Dial-up Connections.
   
2. Perform the following actions on EACH connection icon, including all Local Area Connections and all dial-up connections, in this window:
   • Right click on the connection's icon and select Properties.
     
   • Select the Sharing tab.
   • If there is a checked box for Internet Connection Sharing, uncheck it.
   • Click OK
     
3. Close the Network and Dial-up Connections window.

Disabling Internet Connection Sharing on Windows ME

1. Click on the Start button, click on Settings, and click on Control Panel.
   
2. Double click on Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select the Windows Setup tab
4. Select Communications and click on Properties.
5. Uncheck Internet Connection Sharing if it is checked.
   
6. Click OK, click OK again.
7. Restart the computer.

Disabling Internet Connection Sharing on Windows 98 Second Edition

1. Click on the Start button, click on Settings, and click on Control Panel.
   
2. Double click on Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select the Windows Setup tab
4. Select Internet Tools and click on Properties.
5. Uncheck Internet Connection Sharing if it is checked.
   
6. Click OK, click OK again.
7. Restart the computer.

Disabling Internet Sharing on Mac OSX

1. Click on the Apple menu, select System Preferences....
   
2. Click on Sharing.
3. Select the Internet tab
4. If there is a button labeled Stop, click it.
5. Uncheck Share the connection with other computers on Built-in Ethernet.
   
6. Click on the System Preferences and choose Quit System Preferences.