I don't understand the need for all of the confusion

Ok. So I'm annoyed to the point that I'm ready to just reinstall Windows but I thought I would ask to see if anyone could maybe explain something so I don't have to do that.

Here's my frustration.

I have one(1) --- 1 computer and my sons xbox 360 which I havent hooked up yet because I don't like how this network discovery program just goes and adds exceptions to my firewall.

When I initially installed windows and hooked my modem up to my computers port it made a network connection and then gave me a password that I'll never use. Fine, I can deal with that.

But then when I hooked up my router it added a second network connection. Why did it do that? What was wrong with the first home network connection? I don't get it. I only need one (1) ---1 connection.

Now what bugs me more is that I have disabled file and printer sharing but it's still is allowed through the firewall. I never asked for windows media player network sharing service to be allowed in my firewall but it is. I don't understand why. Core networking in the firewall, both home and public are enabled, Homegroup is enabled in the firewall yet I cannot access home network because i'm connected through the router.

Network discovery is enabled. and I don't want it or need it.

So, is there a way to just get rid of all of the connections and firewall exceptions and have just one.(1) ---1 connection that won't just do what it wants as far as sharing and stop screwing with my firewall.

Again, I have 1 computer. not a business network. Can i just disable the whole concept of network discovery/

This is really ******* me off.

Sorry for ranting. But I'm mad about this confusing mess.

The two network connections may be because one was detected as a public network and the other a home network. Your modem gives your PC a public IP address but your router gives it a Private IP address. If you open the network and sharing center, and then go to Choose homegroup and sharing options, Change advanced sharing options, you can turn off network discovery, file and print sharing, etc. Somewhere in there you can leave your homegroup too. I've already done it on mine so all I see are the options to join/set one up. Once media streaming is turned on I don't think you can turn it off again. Mine says its off but I still see an Icon for it in my Network window if MP is open?

Yeah, i did all of that. I think I'm just going to reinstall the OS and the first time I see that network discovery window show it's face, i'm just going to hit the close button.

I tell you, you tick one thing and they want to just go and commence to taking over and making decisions for you that are rediculously unsafe and open to the public. It's rediculous.

Thanks though. I did disable all of that stuff but the fact of the matter is that the thing that "enabled" it still free to run amuk as it wishes.

Reminds me of the "like" button on that facebook fodder.

I leave network discovery on. I even patched my XP PC so it shows up correctly in the network map. If you are behind a router and have your network type set to Home Network I don't see it as being a problem. My router has its own firewall so I'm isolated from the internet by that. The XP PC is mainly why I don't use Homegroup and do everything with File and print sharing. I have folders and Printers shared across all my PCs. Most people will use Homegroup and want to share pictures etc from PC to PC. Thats why its enabled by default. If you set a good password for your Homegroup it should be safe enough. I agree though that I don't like it being enabled by default with a here is your password write it down prompt. I'd rather see a "do you want to use it", yes or no, don't nag me about it either option.

NoN said:

Seven8nine said:

Ok. So I'm annoyed to the point that I'm ready to just reinstall Windows but I thought I would ask to see if anyone could maybe explain something so I don't have to do that.

Here's my frustration.

I have one(1) --- 1 computer and my sons xbox 360 which I havent hooked up yet because I don't like how this network discovery program just goes and adds exceptions to my firewall.

When I initially installed windows and hooked my modem up to my computers port it made a network connection and then gave me a password that I'll never use. Fine, I can deal with that.

But then when I hooked up my router it added a second network connection. Why did it do that? What was wrong with the first home network connection? I don't get it. I only need one (1) ---1 connection.

Now what bugs me more is that I have disabled file and printer sharing but it's still is allowed through the firewall. I never asked for windows media player network sharing service to be allowed in my firewall but it is. I don't understand why. Core networking in the firewall, both home and public are enabled, Homegroup is enabled in the firewall yet I cannot access home network because i'm connected through the router.

Network discovery is enabled. and I don't want it or need it.

So, is there a way to just get rid of all of the connections and firewall exceptions and have just one.(1) ---1 connection that won't just do what it wants as far as sharing and stop screwing with my firewall.

Again, I have 1 computer. not a business network. Can i just disable the whole concept of network discovery/

This is really ******* me off.

Sorry for ranting. But I'm mad about this confusing mess.

You can disable in services.msc (type start=>run=>services.msc) the Windows Media Player Network Sharing aswell some Windows Media Center services. This will prevents some of the firewall rules to be added.

Yeah, I went there first. Ran around in a bunch of circles confused as to what was what. The thing is that I don't know what all that network detection thing changed so i just reinstalled the OS.

As soon as that network detection thing popped up when I was installing my router, I just closed it out. I gave it the bird too while i was closing it. Guess I'm igrant but it really peeved me the first time around with all of that gobbledygook.

Now I only have one(1)---1 connection called simply "Network - Internet Access". AND none of that mess in my firewall.

Thanks for all of the advice though. Lots of good information here. Just don't always have time to read it all before i go asking. You know?

Internet is much faster too.