HOW TO: Enable NetBIOS Scope IDs in Windows 2000

You cannot configure NetBIOS scopes on a Windows 2000-based computer by using the graphical user interface (GUI) or with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

This article describes how to configure NetBIOS scopes by modifying the registry.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Enabling a NetBIOS Scope on a Windows 2000-based Computer

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe), and locate the following key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBT\Parameters
2. Click the Parameters subkey, and then click Add Value on the Edit menu.
3. In the Value Name box, type ScopeID. (Note that this name is case sensitive.)
4. In the Data Type box, click REG_SZ, and then click OK.
5. Restart the computer.

DHCP clients may have to type ipconfig /release, and then type ipconfig /renew at a command prompt to enable the new setting.

NOTE: The use of NetBIOS scopes as described in this article is included only as a convenience for limited situations in which they absolutely must be used, and no other alternatives exist (such as VLANs, IPSec, more restrictive use of NTFS and share security, and so on). The use of NetBIOS scopes is discouraged, and there are no guarantees that NetBIOS scopes will be supported in future releases of Microsoft products.

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