PRB: Cannot Enable or Disable a Network Device from the Network Connections Folder (318291)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Driver Development Kit (DDK), when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows XP
This article was previously published under Q318291

SYMPTOMS

If you have a network device driver with an unsigned co-installer and you use the Windows XP operating system, you cannot disable or enable the device from the Network Connections folder (that is, you cannot right-click the device and then click Enable/Disable).

You can, however, enable or disable the device from the Device Manager.

CAUSE

The Device Manager runs in the logged-on user context and is, therefore, allowed to disable or enable devices with unsigned co-installers. However, the request from the Network Connections folder to enable or disable devices is sent to a LocalSystem service, which is not allowed to enable or disable devices because an unsigned co-installer cannot be trusted to run in the logged-on user context.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/22/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB318291
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.