DOCUMENT:Q131902 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Printer Browse Thread May Cause Extensive Network Traffic PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:3.50 3.51 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= When you share a printer in Windows NT, the spooler creates a thread that broadcasts a message on all of the print server's installed protocols to all Windows NT print servers, informing the print servers of the new print share. Each of these print servers adds the new print share name to its local printer browse list. In addition, each print server rebroadcasts the list of its local printers to all print servers every 10 minutes. Although this design ensures that all Windows NT print servers have current browse lists, it can also causes extensive network traffic. The procedure below explains how to disable the printer browse thread. Disabling the thread reduces network traffic, but also keeps the print servers from knowing about new print shares. MORE INFORMATION ================ To disable the printer browse thread, modify the Registry. WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk. 1. Start Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE). 2. From the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, go to the following subkey: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print 3. From the Edit menu, select Add Value. 4. Add the following to disable the printer browse thread: Value Name: DisableServerThread Data Type: REG_DWORD String: 1 5. Choose OK and quit Registry Editor. 6. Shutdown and restart Windows NT. Additional query words: prodnt browser netserverenum excessive ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search Version : 3.50 3.51 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.