Network Tweaks - Designate Master Browser

Force or exclude a server from being a brower or domain master browser. This is done by editing the registry string MaintainServerList to either No, Yes or Auto. You can also specify a server to become the preferred domain master browser with the ISDomainMaster string.

The operating system has a browser election to see which PC's will become browsers, domain master browsers and backup browsers but you can specify which servers can or cannot become browsers if you wish. For complete information on how the browsing service works see the Microsoft Technical Notes.

To edit the registry string, follow the next steps:

  1. Open the Registry Editor click on the Start button on your taskbar, then click on Run and type "regedit" and click on OK to start the regedit utility.
     
  2. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters (see picture 1).

    Picture 1
  3. Modify the MaintainServerList and/or the IsDomainMaster key to a value explained below.

    Registry Key Value Description
    MaintainServerList No This PC will not participate as a browser.
    MaintainServerList Yes This PC will become a master or backup browser. This is the default value for Windows 2000/XP servers.
    MaintainServerList Auto This PC can be a potential browser. This is the default value for Windows 2000/XP workstations.
    IsDomainMaster True Designate this PC as the preferred master browser.

     

  4. The modifications you made will be in effect after you logout or reboot your PC.

 


Author:

Lex van der Horst

Date Added:

06-11-2004

Last Reviewed:

06-11-2004