Removing Entries in WINS from Other Non-Existent WINS Servers

The Microsoft Windows NT Server Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) database will not delete entries owned by other WINS servers that are no longer functioning. A registry entry, PersonaNonGrata, can be used to remove entries that are owned by other WINS servers that are no longer a part of the WINS replication network.

In a Microsoft Windows NT network with multiple WINS servers, entries owned by WINS servers that are no longer part of the network of replicated databases will be replicated indefinitely. This is because WINS must check with an owner server before entries are deleted. If a WINS server is no longer in use, other WINS servers will err on the side of caution and keep records they cannot verify as expired on an owner server. Even if an owner is deleted in WINS Manager, these unwanted entries will continue to be replicated from other WINS servers.

The Windows NT registry value PersonaNonGrata allows an administrator to specify the IP addresses of owner servers of unwanted records.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

The PersonaNonGrata is not in the registry by default, it must be added manually. Perform the following steps to add this entry to the registry:

1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Go to the following key in the registry:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WINS\Partne
3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then type the following:

         Value Name: PersonaNonGrata
         Data Type:  REG_MULTI_SZ
         Value:      IP address of non-existent WINS server that is the 
                     owner server of the unwanted records being replicated.
                     (Each IP address should be followed by a carriage 
                     return.)
         Default:    (None)
   						

   NOTE: This entry does not go in either the Push or Pull subkey of Partners, but is entered as a value in Partners along with the Push and Pull Subkeys. After entering the value, stop and re- start the WINS service to enable the value.

When a server is given PersonaNonGrata status, it can be deleted as an owner in WINS Manager (Mappings-Show Database), and its entries will not be replicated from other servers.