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Disable non-essential network components

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 6 scripts
  • No subcategories
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This category focuses on disabling or removal of specific networking features. These are generally considered unnecessary or less secure for most users.

Disabling these features contributes to a more secure and privacy-focused environment by eliminating potential vulnerabilities and reducing the system's attack surface. These features may utilize outdated protocols or lack robust encryption and authentication methods, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. If these features are not essential for your daily operations, it is advisable to disable them to enhance your system's security.

The scripts target specific networking tools and protocols, ideal for users who don't need these features, thus streamlining the system and potentially improving performance.

Caution

Disabling a networking component may cause connectivity issues if required for specific operations.

Safe for General Use
This script has Normal protection level option. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Everyday Privacy (Enterprise-Grade)​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable non-essential network components" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • Normal

      Some safe changes minimal system impact.

    • High

      Some potentially impactful changes with moderate system impact.

    • Maximum

      Some impactful changes with high system impact.
  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable non-essential network components" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable non-essential network components
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying Normal to limit the impact.

  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 6 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Disable "Net.TCP Port Sharing" feature

This script disables the "Net.TCP Port Sharing" feature. This feature is part of Windows Communication Foundation (WCF). This feature enables multiple WCF applications to share the same TCP port. It manages incoming connections and routes them to the appropriate application based on the destination address found in the message stream. This increases the system's attack surface: access by attackers if compromised. When applications share the same port, more applications are exposed to network tra...

Disable "SMB Direct" feature

This script disables "SMB Direct" feature. SMB Direct improves file transfer speeds across networks by utilizing network adapters that are Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) capable. Although not inherently insecure, maintaining unnecessary software can increase the attack surface, especially if the underlying RDMA hardware has vulnerabilities. Overview of default feature statuses - •

Disable "TFTP Client" feature

This script disables the "TFTP Client" feature. The TFTP Client supports file transfers using the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP). TFTP protocol is insecure because it lacks authentication and encryption capabilities. This makes data transferred via TFTP vulnerable to eavesdropping and tampering. Although TFTP's simplicity can be advantageous in certain contexts, such as configuring network devices, its security risks generally outweigh these benefits. Disabling it helps mitigate the ris...

Remove "RIP Listener" capability

This script removes the "RIP Listener" ("RIP.Listener") capability. The RIP Listener listens for route updates from routers using the Routing Information Protocol version 1 (RIPV1). RIPV1 is an older protocol that might be redundant in modern networks, despite its specific utilities. Removing this feature can contribute to a more secure system by eliminating unnecessary network listening capabilities. This capability is not included in the standard installation of Windows.

Remove "Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)" capability

This script removes the "Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)" ("SNMP.Client") capability. SNMP is used for monitoring and managing network devices. While it provides valuable information for network administration, it may not be essential for all users and can expose the system to additional network traffic and potential vulnerabilities. This capability is not included in the standard installation of Windows.

Remove "SNMP WMI Provider" capability

This script removes the "SNMP WMI Provider" ("WMI-SNMP-Provider.Client") capability. This feature enables Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) clients to access SNMP information. SNMP is used for monitoring and managing network devices. Integrating SNMP data into WMI, this capability may be extraneous for those not needing SNMP monitoring. Removing this capability can simplify the system's management interfaces and improve its security posture by limiting the ways in which network informatio...

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Same Goal​

Other guides in Improve network security 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Enable strong secret key requirements
Disable insecure connections
Enable secure connections
Disable insecure remote administration access

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process