Can the "WORKGROUP" be deleted?

[DavidJ726]

I don't know (or think) that I've gained any security, but I hate defaults
so I've set up my 3 PC's to be identified with a group other than the
default WORKGROUP. When I look at the available network PC's in Windows
Explorer or My Network Places, I see the the new group I set up, as well as
the original WORKGROUP. Because the WORKGROUP is no longer valid, I'd
rather not see it in the listing of available networks. Can it be deleted?

Thanks,

David...

 

[Ron Lowe]

I don't know (or think) that I've gained any security, but I hate defaults
so I've set up my 3 PC's to be identified with a group other than the
default WORKGROUP. When I look at the available network PC's in Windows
Explorer or My Network Places, I see the the new group I set up, as well as
the original WORKGROUP. Because the WORKGROUP is no longer valid, I'd
rather not see it in the listing of available networks. Can it be deleted?

Thanks,

David...

The workgroup will only exist as long as
some machines belong to it.

If no machines belong to the workgroup, it will disappear in time.

You can hurry it along by shutting down all the machines,
and then starting up one at a time.

After starting the first, give it 10 mins or so to sort out the browser
elections.
Then look in Entire Network.
The old workgroup should be gone.
The new workgroup should be present, with the one machine in it.

Then start the next machine.
Wait a few mins, and it should appear in the new workgroup.

Repeat as necessary.
At no time should the old workgroup re-appear.

And no, changing workgroup name does not add any security.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I don't know (or think) that I've gained any security, but I hate defaults
so I've set up my 3 PC's to be identified with a group other than the
default WORKGROUP. When I look at the available network PC's in Windows
Explorer or My Network Places, I see the the new group I set up, as well as
the original WORKGROUP. Because the WORKGROUP is no longer valid, I'd
rather not see it in the listing of available networks. Can it be deleted?

Thanks,

David...

No, workgroups don't provide any type of security. Their only purpose
is to create logical groupings of computers for easier network
browsing.

If there are no computers belonging to WORKGROUP, it will
automatically go away after a while. There's no explicit way to
delete it.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

It should disappear by itself, you are still seeing the "Workgroup" because a recent point in time the group was detected, not sure how long it will take perhaps on the next reboot.

 

[DavidJ726]

Thanks for the responses, I have a few more questions concerning security
and I'll post a new thread to the NG once I get my thoughts and questions in
order.

David...