Question : How do you remove a default c drive share?

Hi,

I have read that it is good security practice to remove the default c$ share on servers.

I tried adding my own one, and then removing the default c$ but as soon as I closed out of the screens I got an "The share will be restored on re-boot" message...

1) Are there implications with removing the c$ share?

2) If it is safe to remove it or re-name it, how is it done so that it doesn't restore at re-boot?

Many thanks.

Answer : How do you remove a default c drive share?

To disable permanently so they will not be recreated on the next reboot, use the following Windows NT / Windows 2000 / Windows XP registry hack:

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters
Name: AutoShareServer for servers
Name: AutoShareWks for workstations
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

For background: Q156365. For details on disabling in Windows XP, see Q314984. In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, you disable the shares via

    * Start
    * Settings
    * Control Panel
    * Systems Tools panel
    * Shared Folders
    * Double-click the Shared Folders branch to expand it
    * Click Shares
    * In the Shared Folder column, right-click the share you want to disable
    * Click Stop sharing
    * Cick OK.

NOTE: If you disable an administrative share that you have created, it will not be automatically enabled after you restart your computer, and you will need to recreate the share.