HOW TO: Install NetBEUI on Windows XP

Microsoft has discontinued support for the NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI) network protocol in Windows XP. However, it is understandable that migration to another network protocol, such as TCP/IP could involve significant time in planning and testing. Therefore, for those who are planning to migrate your system environment to Windows XP by obtaining the full, retail-released version of Windows XP, the NetBEUI protocol can be found on the Windows XP CD-ROM under the VALUEADD directory.

This article describes the process for manually installing the unsupported NetBEUI protocol on a computer running Windows XP. The NetBEUI files will need to be manually copied from the Windows XP CD-ROM before NetBEUI will show up in the list of installable network protocols.

Install NetBEUI on Windows XP
The files necessary for installing the NetBEUI protocol on Windows XP are Netnbf.inf and Nbf.sys. Complete the following steps to install NetBEUI:

1. Insert your Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive and browse to the Valueadd\MSFT\Net\NetBEUI folder.
2. Copy Nbf.sys to the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\Drivers directory.
( %SYSTEMROOT% is usually C:\Windows\ )
3. Copy Netnbf.inf to the %SYSTEMROOT%\Inf hidden directory.
( %SYSTEMROOT% is usually C:\Windows\ )

NOTE: To make a hidden folder viewable, perform the following steps:
a. Click Start, click Run, type Explorer, and then press ENTER.
b. Click Tools, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
c. Under Advanced Settings, click Show hidden files and folders under the Hidden files and folders Folder.

(After completing Step 3, Dofusdaddy shutdown the computer. Dofusdaddy then powered on the computer. This is the only way I could get the added file copies to take. I do not know why.)

4. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.
5. Right-click the adapter you want to add NetBEUI to, and then click Properties.
6. On the General tab, click Install.
7. Click Protocol, and then click Add.
8. Click to select NetBEUI Protocol from the list and then click OK.
9. Restart your computer if you receive a prompt to complete the installation.

The NetBEUI protocol should now be installed and working.

NOTE: %SYSTEMROOT% is a Windows environment variable that identifies the directory where Windows XP is installed (for example, C:\Windows). To view the value associated with %SYSTEMROOT%, as well as other environment variables, at a command prompt, type set, and then press ENTER.

NOTE: After following the steps above you should be able to use NetBEUI on Lan connections, however you will not be able to use NetBEUI on a Remote Access Service (RAS) connection. RAS connections cannot use NetBeui.