Windows 2000 creates some hidden administrative shares, one of which
is PRINT$ (an alias for C:\WINNT\system32\spool\drivers).  How can I
permanently remove this share?  The following article describes how to
remove some of the other hidden administrative shares, but it does not
describe how to remove the PRINT$ share:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314984&sd=tech

If I go to the Computer Management screen and click on "Stop Sharing"
on the print$ share, or if I click on "Do not share this folder" in
the properties for C:\WINNT\system32\spool\drivers, then the share is
temporarily removed.  It comes back when I reboot the computer.  I
want it to be permanently removed.

I believe I can remove the PRINT$ share by disabling the Server
service or uninstalling the File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft
Networks (in my Local Area Connection properties).  But this would
remove all file and printer sharing, which I do not want to do.  I
only want to remove the PRINT$ share.

Microsoft generally likes to say that file and print sharing are the
same (that is, they stop and start together). Samba agrees, mostly.
The print$ share is the way that print sharing works. However, if you
really look at the print share net view \\computername\print$, you can
get a feel for the directory structure that is being shared, and find
it. However, it's probably more virtual than actual. And it will
(should) only list printers that you are sharing, read-only.

Yes, stopping the server service would probably be the best bet. Or
put a firewall on your PC. The problem is that file and print sharing
is accessed on the the same ports, and ne'er the two shall separate.
Of course, you could stop your print spooler service, but I doubt
you'd really like to be printless.

To summarize: don't worry about it. If you are worried about it, don't
use file and print sharing. If you have to use file and print sharing,
use a firewall that can tell friend from foe.

This is a free comment.

Hi,

If your desktop is Server, do following in regedit:

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters 
Name: AutoShareServer
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

If you desktop is Workstation, do following in regedit :
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters 
Name: AutoShareWks
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

A reboot is required to have an effect. Remember C$, D$, Print$ all
the default share by Microsoft OS, once you do the above mention
settings, all the $ symbole sharing will not be shared.

Cheers!!!
Sanjay

Sanjay,

As described in the Microsoft support article that I mentioned above,
the registry fix only deletes the C$, D$, and ADMIN$ shares; it does
not delete the PRINT$ and IPC$ shares.  IPC$ is required by the Server
service, so it cannot be deleted.  But there is no reason why PRINT$
can't be deleted.

1 - run regedit, 

2 - then go to
           HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

3 - and add a string with any name (ie DelPrintShare) with value
           net share $print /delete

4 - restart your pc

i did a little mistake (not $print but print$) but seems to work anywhere:

it is because is sufficient to type
net share print$ /delete
in any cmd window (i did this before tricking in reg).

The sharing is removed permanently!